From: Milton Aupperle <milton@outcastsoft.com>

Date: September 3, 2010 7:42:12 PM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] Re: M27

Hi Mark;

On 3-Sep-10, at 6:48 PM, Mark Gaffney wrote:

Hi Milton,

They`re both great, it`s good you`ve been able to finally do some shooting!

I`m wondering about whether you think buying the Baader LRGB filters would really be worthwhile for the Scorpion 20SOM I have..?

Why not just use the DSLR you already have? You can always go filters later on once you get good at doing RGB imaging.

Such an expenditure would be some way down the track.

I`m being attracted to the Astronomics sale on the AT6RC in the next month. It`s only $299 but would be an additional $200 USD postage for me out here in Australia..

I think this might be a real bargain..

I`m also being convinced that the T-point add on for my The Sky X SAE would be a worthwhile expenditure at $249 USD considering my problems locating things at present..

NGC 3372 was rather large & locate-able but NGC 6744 has so far defied me..

NGC 6744 Is a mag 9.2 galaxy, so it's very faint. It's also large, which usually means it has a low surface brightness.

NGC 6946 is a similar galaxy :

http://www.outcastsoft.com/AstroImages/NGC6946_20090825_MJA.jpg

but about 1/2 the size and slightly fainter. You can see the exposures / settings I used on the bottom of the image.

Mind you the rain`s returned here so I haven`t re-done my polar alignment..

Do that first  and check that your mount isn't loose. I've already outlined what to do to test the RA/DEC backlash / slop, and it can be done in daylight.  If the mount is mechanically out of whack, no ones software will help solve it.

I`m also looking at upgrading my mount to a CGEM by early next year (to be bought in the US to save lots of money..) The CG-5 could then be used for one of the other telescopes..

Unless your planning on buying a bigger scope that weighs a lot more, why do you need to upgrade?

TTYL..

Milton Aupperle