Thanks for taking time to reply to my question. I will check out the references you recommend. If you're interested in one more astrophotography resource take a look at Clarkvision.com. I too am retired and spend a good deal of my time with my camera in hand. A milky way photo is like a blank sheet so you have the opportunity to process it to your liking. Don't know about you but many photographers tend to make things too blue for my taste. The night sky ain't blue. Good shooting and will look forward to seeing more milky way photos next spring when the core is once again visible.
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