M45 new filter test..

[UlteriorModem]

Got a new UV/IR filter to try to help mitigate internal reflections. While it is a good deal better there still there.

But it is a nice image all the same. LIke the colors in the dust clouds.

M45 Stretched by Tom Whit, on Flickr

Before

M45 pass 1 by Tom Whit, on Flickr

After

Yes there flipped to lazy to align them

[JayTee]

I like the color balance on number two much better.

Nicely done,

[messier 111]

I like the color balance on number two much better.

Nicely done,

+ 1

[UlteriorModem]

Thanks guys!

Yea the color is a lot better. But to be fair it is a wildly different set of data.

My main 'focus' was the internal reflections. The transparent blue circles most evident in the 'before' image. It seems the Baader filter is better in reducing that. M45 has some bright stars in it

Notice in the second image there is an internal reflection only it is 'clipped' at the top. Pretty sure that is caused by the pick off prism since that bright star is so close to the edge of the frame.

[BABOafrica]

The 'after' version is immensely better than the 'before'.

Good luck in dealing with those internal reflections...

BABO

[UlteriorModem]

Thanks, I dont think there is much I can do with the internal reflections. Beginning to think there coming from the protective glass in the camera, although the new filter does seem better.

I also noticed while processing a single diffraction spike across some of the stars. Cosmetic Correction removed it but I think there is a spider web inside the OTA.

Time to vacum it out again.

[UlteriorModem]

Yep opened it up and unthreaded the Objective from the OTA and sure enough cobwebs on the Objective ring. All cleaned up now.

Now just to wait another week or so before more clear skies.