That's a stunning picture, Pete!

I haven't been able to get photos that good yet with my new setup - I went from the K3-II to a mono-CCD (ASI1600MM-pro). So far, fiddling with filters and refocusing between filter changes, as well as coming to grips with Sequence Generator Pro and plate solving has prevented my from getting really good subframes, but I'm making progress. I also had to replace my power supply with a 15A 12V system because the old SLA just couldn't pump out what was needed and the mount stopped. I am building an autofocus mechanism that can work with SGP, so I won't have to spend so much time refocusing between filter changes, but I just lost my job so I won't be able to get an electronic filter wheel for a while.

So long story short, Pentax photos are still better than CCDs.

Bill

I am very sorry to hear that you lost you job, Bill . I keep my my fingers crossed.....

I understand your trouble with the technique very well. After all that struggle I had with my equipment in the last half year since the 130/7 came into my home as the big brother of the 80/480 apo refractor life astro-life became more complicated and now I am struggeling to make it easier again. One point in this strategy is staying with my DSLR at least until there is headroom for improvement instead of beginning a new adventure story. In my case this also meant more more investment into technique but with the goal to maximize imaging time and comfort. This is why I invested into the micro-step auto-motorfocus, the EQ-WiFi module and the MobiPro card. The plan is to be ready for imaging within 15 minutes (Stellarium/CdC, Eqmod and Astrotortilla together with image acquisition via MobiPro, all wireless). And when it's all ready then start an autonomous working but remote controlled imaging sequence (MGEN II, MFOC).

I feel like being at 90% now with that strategy. 3 weeks ago I imaged M1 while we had guests downstairs. The next weekend I was out with friends and could control the MGEN and the incomming pictures with teamviewer on my smartphone. On the way home I saw that the mount started to collide with the pier and stopped it via teamviewer/smartphone. Last Saturday I was out with my lady for dinner in the neighbour town while the scope pointed to Melotte 15 with an Ha-filter on. I stopped it remotely after something had irritated the autoguider and it had lost its guidestar. I could have even set up the system again remotely from within the italian restaurant with my Ipad but I'm sure that would have busted the evening (and the rest of the weekend ).

So all the best for you, Bill and even if you should be less present in the Pentax group I hope to see phantastic images of yours on CN soon!!

Pete

I would love to show this to some cub scouts tonight as we are doing an activity for astronomy and I have nothing this impressive I have taken. The best I have is a picture of M42 taken with my 135mm lens.

This gives me something to strive for as I try to become better at astrophotography.

....so do so if you think it is interesting for them...

Cheers, Pete

They loved the photo and then when we went outside I was able to point out where in the sky they were.