Details

• Rig: QHY268C + Sky-Watcher 200PDS + EQ6R-Pro
• Software: NINA/PixInsight
• Filters: None
• Constellation: Lyra

    Integration time (running total):
    * OSC 54 X 120s (108m)
    * Total: 1h48m

Seeing index: OK (3)
Jet stream: OK (12 m/s)
Transparency: Good (4)
Moon: 92%

Notes

This evening turned out remarkably well. The Met Office forecasts seem to be drifting in their accuracy of late and what was supposed to be a cloudy evening turned out really quite clear. My intention was to set up an OAG on the QHY268C to see if correct back focus could be achieved (it could) and also to test the new CNC machined secondary mirror support that will give much better diffraction spkies and require much less collimation. Both proved to be fine. What was most surprising was that no filtration was used in my Bortle 6 location with a nearly-full, though quite low, moon. once the imaging train was set up it would have been necessary to break this down to add a filter on the nose piece so I chose to test what was possible instead when not using a filter. Gradients proved to be minimal in the final processed imaged. The off-axis guiding also worked incredibly well with a RMS error of around 0.6 arc secs/pixel. This with an undermounted Newtonian (on an HEQ5 Pro) without proper polar alignment and very quick calibration!