Diffraction Spike Removal, yes I get it it i quite difficult to remove...

@astropixpro 

You can use the StarNet2 command line to produce starless images, separate the stars from the BG, but I'm not aware of removing only the diffraction spikes and leaving the cores...

As an RC aficionado myself, why would you want to lose that beautiful feature...? 🙂

Yes @gideon96, I did that already - very good indeed, I improved my old images a lot - I also improved with the age - like wine! 😉

It is just a thought for now - about the 8" RC and I remember the spikes with a Skywatcher 10" Newtonian.

Spikes: I am not exactly a fan of them, but they are nice 'sometime' when they are 1-3 on major stars, too many will detract from the image itself - for example a nebula etc. Also not exactly nice on galaxies in my view... I am not a all-or-nothing person, everything has a balance I guess.

I used to like them initially, then I started to see them too much on the way.

@astropixpro 

The only thing I could think of, was shooting additional data once data has been taken apart, so spikes won't line up.

In that case, I'd suggest you switch to a different design of scope, honestly...
Personally, I don't know about how to remove spikes. Stars, yes, but not spikes 🙂

@gideon96 Yes, I agree.

That was only a thought because I do have an old Meade SCT 10" and it is getting heavier as I cannot have a proper fixed pier etc.

I did manage to add a 'weirdly shaped' shed juts for the mount, which I am thinking to enlarge (not too much) to fit the SCT + weights, ready to go. Just adding the rest when needed.

I am space constricted and also sky is narrow too!
In the next few years I may even move house and it may change things - i.e. shed and possible pier - finally.

The SCT 10" has an additional focuser and I could use a 0.67x reducer ready fit and leave it outside in a secure shed (attached to house - would also add webcam opposite it) and only attach the rest when imaging or observing.

mmm a lot of thinking, not easy.

I saw some of your imaged, nice work, I guess you are happy with it.

The other thought was to get a C8 - less heavy and still good for planets and Deep Sky too.

We will see...

Re: Spikes (post subject!), as mentioned, yes they are nice, but when they are not too many and not degrading vision of the actual main subject. Then it looks like a Hubble image!

@astropixpro Oh wait wait!!!

I just remembered I saw sometime ago this mask you put infront of RC's etc, which cancels the spikes!
trying to find it.

It does reduce incoming light though.

Okay, with the help of some colleagues I found it:

http://serge.bertorello.free.fr/antiaigr/antiaigr.html

Good luck!