For months I have been trying to get a shot at M106 but snow, rain, full moons and more recently smoke from wildfires in Canada and the western United States conspired against the plan. At one point the target was so close to zenith that my optical train was slapped on my CEM70's tri-pier...Grr. With a New Moon out of sight and a mildly smokey, cloud-free, Bortle 4 sky I tried again. Due to the smoke I had to go with unguided 120 second subs - my iOptron CEM70G had no issues maintaining TRMS of 0.6-0.7 throughout the run after a tight 3 Point Polar Alignment in NINA.
Our astronomy club, South Dakota Black Hills Astronomical Society (SDBHAS) recently purchased a new ZWO ASI2400MC camera for our 12" LX200 and I began contemplating going for an ASI2600MC so that I can spend less time gathering LRGB data. Given the results of this LRGB integration I am not so sure that I should. LRGB with a mono camera, even with smoke in the column, produces a much better result.
Clear Skies and God Bless...especially to those whose livelihood, homes, loved ones or own safety may be threatened by the wildfires!
Comments