I like that even better now. To me it looks even more natural.
I went ahead and joined the ranks today. I might be the newest PixInsight user you know.
I was watching some "PixInsight for Dummies (like me)" this afternoon. But it made me drowsey. So I just woke up from a nap.

It appears quite complicated, but I think that I can eventually start getting some color into my picturds.
One thing is that the ASI files already store in the way PixInsight wants them (recognises them). Bias, Flats, Darks, Lights.

I think I might do my stacking outside of PixInsight. Because apparently PixInsight takes a laboriously long time stacking.

But i finally can dump my 2012 Photoshop Elements 12, I think.
Did I mention I evolve like Gibraltar?

🙄

Beautiful Ballard!
So... I recon I need to get Pixinsight.

I can understand why they weren't aligned to each other, I had them in the ASI .fits storage format and took the individual R, G, B, and L files, and the R, G, B, and L flats, with the bias and darks, and stacked each color channel to itself with no reference to the other color files.
So what I need to do is save each color channel separately (R. G. B. L.) then stack each one to it's channel. Then color them R,G,B,L. Then stack them to each other to get them aligned? And wa-la.

Will Pixinsight help guide a new user along to accomplish the steps? I guess I need to do the 45 day trial and see if I can use it before I buy into it.

Ballard,
Okey Dokey, got a roundtoit finally. I hope you didn't give up on me.
Been a whirlwind few days.

These are .jpg, done with the (color) Flats, and the (color) Luminance, and generic Bias and Darks of the day. (No odd balls)

After uploading them, I notice the LUM is 180° out, because it was pre-meridian flip to the rest.

Dumbbell Nebula LUM

(Download)

Dumbbell Nebula RED

(Download)

Dumbbell Nebula GRN

(Download)

Dumbbell Nebula BLU

(Download)

Thank You.

It is practical. I can assure you, most folks won't see it.
But I hope to see the pictures you take with it.

Thank You, Ben!

I'm just an awe struck Earthling, looking at God's handywork of the Universe.

Have fun and practice, practice, practice!

My first was very similar, but made of wood.
Then I bought a mounted Badder foil, and mounted it in 4" PVC drain pipe that fits over my 80mm telescope, and Inside my Tamron 150-600mm lens.
Now, I have a new telescope. And bought a glass mounted solar filter for it.

Just be sure that NO sunlight can get through or around your filter or holder.

Nice composition.
If it were me, and not so hot on AP, just the Sun, I would definately go with the camera lens.
I'm a two-fer kind of shopper. If i can see a two or more use for a tool, I'm sold on it.
The lens fits that criteria.
If you were going to continue into doing AP, I'd say the telescope.
Personally, I'm into a dedicated camera with a telescope. Not a DSLR with a telescope.
I have done both. But a specialized camera, with a telescope works better in my opinion.
That said, when chasing comets, i use my DSLR with my Tameron 150-600mm lens.

I think you are leaning towards the lens. I'd bet you would be happier, and it is what you really want.
Consider yourself shoved.

Lucky you!
I'm fiddling with mine today.
It is easy because I was doing AP last night.
After my flats this morning, I put on my solar filter and been fiddling all day.
Been setting up fire capture for my Solar program. (Well, setting up is rather broad. I'm fumble-bumbling with it.)

Hey that's great Doug!
Thanks for posting that.
I'll be in the 70-71% area. (South/West of the path)

I'd better get to practicing!

Thank You Jack.

Gotcha.
Mylar is my first filter.
I went with a glass for the new telescope.
I can't see the expense for a dedicated solar telescope either.
In fact, I'm not really interested in near objects. So I do Deep space and Nebula specific AP.
I blame Orion for it. Orion was the first real DSO I was able to observe with a 20-60x spotting scope. 10 years later, and a wheelbarrow full of cash later, here I am.

I was considering going to my old stomping grounds in Wyoming. But after all the hub-bub going on and doing Google Earth scouting, it isn't the place it was in the 1970's-1980's when I lived there.
I did find one of my friends who still lives where he was building a 4800 Sq Ft log home when I was there.

But, I didn't go. The wife and I did our observing from the back yard.

Hi, Welcome to the Astrophotography Section of UHH!

There are many others here better versed than I in shooting old Sol.

I did not see Solar filters in your equipment. You MUST use solar filtering.
I got lucky with my earlier set up, an 80mm CF Refractor Triplet telescope.
I bought a ring mounted Solar film filter, then mounted it into a piece of 4" PVC.
That fit over my Telescope, and inside of my Tamron 150-600mm lens. A two-for-one.

The size of your filter depends on the lens you decide on. If really undecided, consider renting equipment compatible with your camera gear.
Practice, Practice, Practice. You can practice at home easily while you prepare. To work out any changes or bugs that crop up.

I have a new larger telescope this year I am really enjoying. I bought a mounted solar (glass) filter to fit it in hopes of catching what I might of the event. I'll be in my Backyard, again.

Best of luck! Enjoy your planning, and especially the event of the Solar Eclipse!

(PS: if you have the means, you might want to consider a dedicated Solar Telescope, and make a real hobby of it.)

Edit In: You might find a Hilio pod as invaluable as I do. Saves a lot of trial and error when getting on the sun.
Does your mount do solar tracking?

https://www.farlaboratories.com/dyna-hp1.html

I haven't tried my new telescope yet. But this is what I got with my Orion ED80 CF and Badder Solar Film filter.
https://youtu.be/BQNWcidTmhI?si=9NFl2qcN5poVT9jg

With a Barlows:
https://youtu.be/T2Nc2pFRjgk?si=BsCqPc2yKPIHWeTy