#2) Taken last night
Same camera D80, same 70-300mm VR lens, same remore cord + delay mode technique.
Different time of the year - they say fall sky is much more clear than summer sky. I also took off the UV filter.
Different tripod - upgraded from a $5 garage sale tripod to a $100 eBay carbon fiber set up. I think this is the biggest factor. The picture quality, to me, is very fiffernt.