Patrick, I took a look at the fits file that you directed me to and I don't believe that the image is actually a raw fits. I expected to see an image where only the stars are visible in the raw file, and the detail must be brought out by stretching. It appears to me that it has already been stretched to show dim details, but has washed out the core in the process. Some software automatically stretches images, without user input, by adjusting the white and black points. MaxIm does this for the screen view, but does not actually alter the data in the file. Other programs actually alter the saved data. Is it possible that you are inadvertently stretching the fits file before saving it? Tell me again please... what software you are using? I'll bet there is tons of detail in the core of the image in the "true" raw fits file. I can't be sure, but I doubt that you are really saturating the core area in your exposure. Take a look and let me know what you find. Tyler