Steve,

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This image was post processed with 3 programs:

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1. GraXpert to remove the background gradient induced by all my Bortle 7-8 light pollution from Atlanta in my west (free software).
2. Pixinsight with 3 addins :? BlurXTerminator, NoiseXTerminator, Generalized Hyperbolic Stretch---$$$
3. Gimp (free)

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The MallincamSky software (free) that controls my Mallincam camera (DS10cTEC) derotates and aligns the images as it stacks (Deep Sky stacking mode).

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My UC18 is a rather nice light bucket combined with the Mallincam Camera and MallincamSky software really make astrophotography possible with rather short exposures.? I enjoy spending 100 seconds to capture this quality of an image (I spent about 20 minutes with the post processing).

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My electronic focuser has temperature compensation that keeps great focus over big temperature swings.? Poor focus will kill your ability to post process—stay in focus all night long.? You need perfect focus and I use a Bahtinov mask to achieve perfect focus.? I made mine from 1/8” thick and 18” in diameter plywood with a jig saw and it fits over the secondary mirror.

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The ServoCAT and Argo Navis combine to work with an ASCOM driver so I can remotely control my UC18 from my recliner with Stellarium.

I mounted an Eagle4S windows 10 NUC on my telescope to run the ASCOM based software that controls the telescope and accessories and wirelessly connect to my laptop (MS Remote Desktop--free) at my recliner.

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Richard

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