The Sunflower Galaxy in Canes Venatici
Optics/Mount: CPC1100 with f6.3 Celestron reducer on a Milburn Wedge. Dec antibacklash set to 27/27. PEC on.
Camera: SXVR-H694
Exposure: Total exposure time about 5.6 hours; 103 x 2 mins Lum, 22:20:24 x 2 mins R:G:B. All bin 1x1.
Filters: Astrodon Type IIi RGB
Date: Data was collected over 6 nights from March to May 2016
Imaging automation and capture: Sequence Generator Pro
Guiding Hardware: ASI120MM, Celestron off axis guider. Guiding scale 0.46 arcsec/pixel. 1 second guide exposures.
Focusing: Rigel Systems GCUSB/nStep on stock C11 focuser
Guiding Software: PHD2. RA aggressiveness 55, hysteresis 0, Minimum Move 1.4 arcsecs, Max RA 200, Max Dec 600. Guiding unbinned with ZWO connection. Dec set to hysteresis. Dithering set to Extreme with Settle < 1.2.
Guiding performance: FWHM of subs about 2.5 arc seconds, RMS in PHD about 0.75 arcsecs.
Light pollution: Bortle 8 (white zone, NELM about mag 4.5)
Image scale at capture: 0.6 arcsecs/pixel = f/5.7
Scale of presentation: 1.2 arcsecs/pixel (50% reduction)
Processing: Bias, darks, and flats. Stacked and processed with PixInsight, with a few minor modifications in Photoshop.
