Let's see your 1st DSOs

[Slim]

This remains my first and only DSO image to date. A very zoomed in view of the core of M42.

[Javert]

I've had a few attempts at M42, but this is the best I've managed so far.

This is a single 45 second exposure at ISO 800 that I've processed in Lightroom 3. I did take about 35 images, together with the same number of Darks but I didn't get very good results when processing in the trial version of Nebulosity.

[eddy]

This was my 1st image, its M42 really noisey, not enough data and only 30sec exposures, think it was 5 x 30sec @ ISO800....

[Hawkeye]

OK, well here is my first attempt at M42...

Taken using a Skywatcher 127 MAK, with a Nikon D5000.

60 10seconds pics stacked with Registax 6.

Edited March 19, 2012 by Hawkeye

[DanWebster]

This is my first real effort.

It's the Orion Nebula obviously and using a SkyWatcher 200p on an EQ5 with a Cannon 1100D.

There are around 20 x 30s subs, I can't remember exactly, and they were with the ISO set to 800. I didn't use any darks or flats as I wasn't sure what they were at the time, but I'm learning all the time and hope to do better when I next go out imaging.

I think the scope took a knock when some of the subs were taken, hence the trail, as I wasn't using a remote shutter. I should have binned the offending images, but as it was my first effort I didn't know any better.

[Catweazel]

First DSO attempt, Orion Nebula, about 2 weeks ago. Taken with Megrez72 & Canon 1000D.

[Captain Tweaky]

7th March 2012: This really was my first DSO taken on my nice spangly new Atik 314L+. I really didn't have much of an idea how long the subs should be or even how to process it - but somehow I ended-up with this:

[David JM]

I found out the hard way that a DSLR lens will focus over infinity.

[Gina]

7th March 2012: This really was my first DSO taken on my nice spangly new Atik 314L+. I really didn't have much of an idea how long the subs should be or even how to process it - but somehow I ended-up with this:

What a lot of detail - that's great! Now you just want a filter wheel and set of LRGB filters to fill that great image with lovely colour

[mightymonoped]

My first ever DSO session.

All from my back garden on the same night last week.

All captures were 30 sec subs unguided on SW ED80 / NEQ6

using a Canon EOS 450d.

Tony

[Gina]

Great first images

[bri]

My first attempt. Leo triplets, x45 30s subs with 150p eq3-2 under light polluted sky and haze. Quite pleased with the result but I think it needed a lot more data.

[sanmatt]

That's very nice Bri. It's given me some hope for more DSO imaging!

[Hollywood]

Hi, This was my first try at Astrophotography. I took this in my backyard with LP within city. I used my Canon XSI, 90 sec exposure, @ ISO 800, tracking (no guiding) prime focus,

LX200GPS 8" ALT/AZ mount. post process with Lighthouse3. enjoy!

[Gina]

Good one - you've even managed to separate the stars in the centre, a very difficult job - well done

[PeteC]

Not surprising that M42 is many people's 1st DSO target. Mine was 6 Feb 2009. LX90, Canon 450d, 15sec ISO800. 5 subs stacked manually in PS Elements. Darks? Flats? RAWs? What are they?

[Gina]

Very good first shot - lots of lovely red glow You could get a lot more out of that with stretching the histogram. (Called Curved in most image processing software.)

[mindburner]

m101 with the modded 1100d

about 1.5 hours worth

needs darks (was only using incamera NR)

and modding seems to have knackered the colour a bit

Edited April 24, 2012 by mindburner

[Chris]

Thats a great first image mindburner, like you say though it will be even better with 20-30 darks, even so theres some nice detail in there for such a faint galaxy:)

[valefor]

my first dso taken a few days ago. m13

[Paul Laws]

M27 Dumbbell nebula.

Cropped image;

10 x 120 seconds lights 10 x 120 seconds darks ISO 800

ED80/Canon full mod 450D/HEQ5PRO

[Gina]

Nice

[The_PSY3NTIST]

Total of 30mins unguided

[Gina]

Good start - get more subs on that and you'll bring a lot more out

[KeithFarmer]

My first deep sky target; the Pleiades.

Pentax K-x with M42 Helios 125mm portrait lens @ f2.8 3.0s @ ISO3200

on standard Tripod.

It was taken autumn last year and i love the blueness of the central stars, even if they are bizzarely triangular.

Edited June 1, 2012 by KeithFarmer