M3 - Askar 103 APO, 1.5 hrs

Posted: Apr 26th, 2026

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NGC

Technical Info

Telescope/Lens: Askar 103 APO 103mm f/6.8

Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro

Mount: HEQ5 Pro

Software: ZWO ASIair, Siril

Exposure:

85 x 60" ISO/Gain: 100 - Optolong L-Pro

Gray, Bortle 2 zone:

Sofrino, Russia

Apr 24th, 2026

1 h 25 m

150

Resolution: 2448x2338 px

Scale: 3907 KB

ankorot

One and a half hours on an F/7 scope — all I could get between the clouds.

TWO PROCESSING VERSIONS. The differences are immediately obvious: one with a black background and one with a bright background and no noise reduction.

A request to viewers:
Please WRITE which version you prefer — with a black background and small stars OR with a bright background and dim stars.

Thank you!

Current photo Updated

M3 - Askar 103 APO, 1.5 hrs

26 Apr, 2026

1 h 25 m

One and a half hours on an F/7 scope — all I could get between the clouds.TWO PROCESSING VERSIONS. The differences are immediately obvious: one with a black bac…

M3 - Askar 103 APO, 1.5 hrs

26 Apr, 2026

1 h 25 m

One and a half hours on an F/7 scope — all I could get between the clouds. TWO PROCESSING VERSIONS. The differences are obvious: one with a black background and…

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Comments

Aleksey Popov

The black background looks nicer, in my opinion. A light background and a softer image are better for nebulae, while a dark, more contrasty image is just right for globular clusters and star clusters in general. And what is that arrow in the image pointing to?

27 Apr, 2026 Reply

Ankorot Replied to Aleksey Popov

Thank you for your opinion!

The arrow points to a curious chain of stars.

27 Apr, 2026 Reply

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