Details:

Telescope: Meade LX200GPS F/10 UHTC 8”, Mitty Evolution Wedge
Camera: Meade DSI Color (v1). Meade 3.3 Focal reducer at effective focal ratio of F4.4
32 x 1 minute subframes.  MaximDL used for exposures. Shot on 7/31/2006 in
Redmond, WA, USA at 11:35pm local time.


Processing:

Maxim/DL used as follows: Median combine 5 darks of 30 seconds each, 15 bias frames,
No flats.   Calibration applied in MaxIm to each of 32 subframes, known bad pixels
removed with bad pixel map. Calibrated mono/bayered subframes converted to color
using Convert CMY command, no scaling of color channels applied, automatic bgd
level detection. Subframes summed using automatic star align/combine feature. Adjust
color balance with Color balance command by clicking on stars until the roughly correct
teal/green with red fringes is seen based on other published images. Export to
photoshop CS2 in 32 bit FITS format.  Import each plane with log scaling using FITS
Liberator v2. Reduce vignetting with Russ Croman Gradient Xterminator plugin, crop
edges slightly. Shrink stars slightly with magic wand selector, expand selection, feather,
minimum filter at 2 pixels.  Save as 8 bit JPG.

Additional Thoughts:
Clearly the stars could’ve been a bit rounder and I see a bit of periodic error in a few stars,
Guiding would clearly help, as would flats. But for a “beginner” I feel my skills are
improving dramatically within the limitations of my Equipment, and as there are no other
entries in the category right now, I think my chances are pretty good!