This group is intended for those, beginners or experienced, doing deep sky astrophotography with small aperture scopes, 6" or less, and modest CCD cameras or modified web cams. The use of high end cameras and larger aperture scopes are well covered by other Yahoo groups and are not truly appropriate here. CCD imaging systems such as those offered by Atik, SAC, Meade, and, entry level SBIG, Starlight Xpress and Finger Lakes cameras are appropriate. This IS NOT the place to dicuss modifying non-astronomical web cams, DSLRs or CCD imagers, nor solar, lunar and planetary imaging.

First and foremost, this group will discuss techniques for deep sky imaging with small aperture scopes, modest mounts and basic CCD equipment, and, sharing resulting images - first tries, best efforts, killer images and the occasional failures. Related subjects would be filters and techniques for dealing with light pollution, color imaging, manual and auto guiding techniques, and, image processing programs and techniques.

Image: M8, Lagoon Nebula in Sag, AP127 f5.3, ATK16HR camera, LRGB 35,10,10,10 minutes, John Nassr