Tyler Allred wrote:

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.

I don't think so. Unless I posted the wrong image that's the way it came out of the ST-10. All I did was save it. I'm pretty sure seeing the nebulosity is normal in a raw image provided enough photos have been collected. Note that with the same set up (C-14 @ f/5.2 and ST-10 binned to 3x3) I can plainly see M-57 in a 1/4 second exposure.

Tell me again please... what software you are using?

The image I posted was made with CCDSoft.

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.

Well, getting back to M-57, it burns out in less than a second. I'm just collecting a bunch of photos. For good measure I just fired up the Windoze machine and zipped one of the 20 30 second exposures that eventually made up the final product with the same 30 second shot with the master dark subtracted (but with no flat having been applied). Hopefully the zip file is in your in box now. Patrick