Noisy M42

[mikehab]

Managed to get the scope (4SE) out for the first time since last July (poor I know) and bagged a rather noisy shot of M42 from a very light-polluted NW London.   Took 18 x 8sec subs @ ISO 6400 (hence the noise), plus 10x darks and 10x bias and stacked in DSS.

Would welcome any suggestions on how to improve the post-processing curves etc. so that the central core doesn't look over-exposed whilst stretching the outer-cloud?

Thanks,

Mike

[termhn]

Managed to get the scope (4SE) out for the first time since last July (poor I know) and bagged a rather noisy shot of M42 from a very light-polluted NW London.   Took 18 x 8sec subs @ ISO 6400 (hence the noise), plus 10x darks and 10x bias and stacked in DSS.

Would welcome any suggestions on how to improve the post-processing curves etc. so that the central core doesn't look over-exposed whilst stretching the outer-cloud?

Thanks,

Mike

In order to keep the core in check while stretching the outer clouds, you can take a second set with lower exposure settings (3200 or lower ISO maybe) and add those into the stack.