M31 20th Dec 2020 - Initial Processing Test - Updated V2

[AndyThilo]

Started acquiring data last night on M31. Plan is to get 16 hours or so broadband with a few hours Ha extra on top.

Last night was a decent start although cut short by high cloud at 11pm, it's probably the clearest consistent skies I've seen for a good while. Star count and HFR in NINA barely changed over the 3.7 hours of subs I got. I think my UV/IR was ok, but would be interesting to compare with my CLS-CCD. Loving the 268C, the background noise is far less than I had with the 294MC Pro.

Specs:

• 112 x 120s Lights - 3.7 hours
• 40 x Darks
• QHY268C @ -20
• William Optics GT81 with Flat 6Aiii
• QHY5iii462C Guide Camera with WO 50mm Slidebase
• Stellardrive EQ6-R Pro 
• Astronomik UV/IR Cut Filter
• Bortle Class 4

M31 Andromeda V2 20-12-2020 by Andy Thilo, on Flickr

Edited December 22, 2020 by AndyThilo

[Phillyo]

That's a really lovely image of M31, super smooth. I'd be tempted to try and enhance the colour a little bit but that's just personal taste. What are you using to process your data? Also, I notice you've had your EQ6-R Pro Stellardrive tuned and I was wondering if you would recommend it? Thanks.

[AndyThilo]

Thanks, the 268C is really clean noise wise. I’m wondering if UV/IR isn’t enough and I needed more light pollution filtering. Might get an L-Pro for the next batch.

My EQ6-R is superb. I did a review of it

 

[GiorgioF]

Already great one. Take some short also. For the core. It will bring out good details

[AndyThilo]

I took some time last night to do some tweaking. Initially I didn't want to over saturate, but it was a little 'dull'. Hope you like the revised V2 in the original post :).