M3

This image of M3 was taken mainly to test out a replacement minus violet filter for the Optec 0.5x focal reducer. The first filter caused significant image degradation (distorted star shapes), but this filter does a nice job. There is some astigmatism present, which needs to be resolved. This shows up in an one-shot image as elongations in the red and blue frames, but 90 deg to each other. Further tests will be done to isolate scope from focal reducer.

Image info:

12"LX200 on a Losmandy Titan Mount

Starlight Express
SXV-H9C

25x2 mins

f/5.3 (Optec FR)

Acquired and processed in Maxim (no darks and no flats)

guided with an STV on a piggybacked Sky90 refractor

5.28.04

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