Hickson 88 Previous Versions

Object: Hickson88: galaxies in Aquarius, 4 components, top to bottom: A: NGC 6978 Sb 13.3m 1.5'x0.7', B: NGC 6977 SB(r)a pec. 13.3m 1.3'x0.9', C: NGC 6976 SAB(r)bc 14m 1.3'x1.1' and D: PGC 65612 Sc 14.8m 1.1'x0.2'.
Subimages: 23 frames x 600s (3.8 hrs) SD Mask combined after Bias and Dark calibration. 4 other frames were discarded due to changes in focus.
Scope: C11XLT with RLS65 reducer, EFL=1981mm (f/7 effective)
Mount: Losmandy G11 with Gemini L4
Camera: ST7EI (0.94"/pixel) set to -15C (first 15 frames) and -25C (last 8 frames)
Guiding: SX716 camera on a Taurus Tracker III OAG
Acquisition and Processing: MaxIm DL/CCD v4.5

1st attempt at processing.

The above image was deconvolved with the Lucy-Richardson routine and then a gamma stretch was applied (DDP with no filter). The far right edge was cropped off to remove a bright star that did not survive (cosmetically speaking) the deconvolution.

2nd attempt at processing

The above image was deconvolved with the Lucy-Richardson routine and had the background flattened. Then an unsharp mask and a gamma stretch was applied (DDP with no filter). A custom MaxIm plug-in was used to fix the flat-topped stars and their haloes.