M44 was the first target I used to test my flattener
back in 2021, and with less than an hour's integration time, it didn't amount to much. With several extra hours added in 2023, It's still a challenge to emphasis the member stars, especially when so many of our tools focus on sharpening and de-emphasizing stars, and my Bortle 7 skies don't allow me to capture much of the signature glow often seen suffusing this cluster, but I do love the big, vibrant blues and yellows. This is a treat, visually, too - I recently saw it naked-eye from the deck of a BC ferry during a late crossing, using averted vision. I love the little galaxies peppered throughout, too!
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