This is my second approach to NGC 7000, the North America Nebula, and probably one of the most demanding and rewarding projects I have processed so far.The idea behind this image started with curiosity: could I push the Seestar setup further by combining its internal LP/Hα-OIII data with external Askar Colour Magic C1 and C2 dual-band filters?After a lot of research online, I found many opinions suggesting that using the Askar C1 and C2 filters with this kind of setup would be unrealistic, difficult, or simply not worth it. In theory, it was almost an utopia.So I decided to test it myself.The result is this image.It required many hours of capture, several stacking tests, careful registration between different masters, gradient correction, spectral/flux calibration, channel recombination and a lot of trial and error. The hardest part was making the data from different filters work together naturally without destroying the signal or creating an artificial look.Integration detailsTotal integration time:24h 40m 50sSeestar LP / Hα-OIII: 741 frames Mixed exposures of 20s, 30s and 60s8h 15m 50sAskar Colour Magic C1 / Hα-OIII: 242 frames × 60s4h 02mAskar Colour Magic C2 / OIII-SII: 743 frames × 60s12h 23mThe final image is a combination of the Seestar LP/Hα-OIII data, the Askar C1 Hα/OIII signal and a recombined Askar C2 OIII/SII master, used to bring more separation, depth and structure to the nebula.This project took a lot of dedication, research and experimentation, but it also proved something important to me: sometimes the only way to know if something works is to try it yourself.Clear skies,João Palhota

After weeks and weeks of cloudy nights, I can finally pull out the telescopes again 🙏 I never thought this day would come 🥹

When the S50 moves to a new object the mounting plate on my fluid head accidentally pushes the reset button stopping my plan and the only way to escape the reset loop is to push the power button. I'm using a oversized plate on a Cayer H8 fluid head. This setup is very stable but this issue is unworkable. A smaller plate won't fit. Maybe using a fender washer to raise the s50 up? I think the problem may come back with this since there is a lot of forward pressure with the 41 degree angle. May have to abandon the fluid head and move to a wedge.

Hi everyone! Am I right in my understanding that one does not need direct view neither of zenith nor of North Star but simply of about 30° of the celestial meridian (great arc passing through North Star and zenith)? This is my understanding of the following option: Thanks a lot best regards and clear skies! Claudio

How do I know if my images have been successful for the Grand Slam? I've entered several last Friday but I still only have two ticks out of the 110? Am I doing something wrong ?

After 5 yrs of Celestron evolution SCT 8" telescope - on to seestar 30'pro - just started - all images via pixinsight from 2 to 3 hours of imaging at 60" frames per object. comments welcome ! see ya Robin out of lochristi Belgium back yard . A pleasure to see so much hard stuff feom before being handled automatically !!

昨晚天气晴朗，好好的，今晚就是云遮月。几年一遇的最小满月可惜了。

久违的晴天