Attempt at M42 after finally figuring it all out

[Aeseir]

Finally getting my setup all working correctly and in order i figured i share this single shot i took of M42.

Spent most of the night experimenting and learning my new setup, but now i am confident i can do it again all time every time.

Currently 4 min (slight drift), ISO 800.

Next goal is to image at 5 min without drift at iso 400 and 800 (to capture the dimer stuff) then stack.

Wish me luck.

[frugal]

Nice shot. You will be amazed with how much of the faint data you can actually pull out even with 4 minute subs. The trick is to take _lots_ of them to try and bring the signal above the noise.

You also have some kind of reflection at the top of the image.

[Pete Presland]

That is a very nice start.

[Astrosurf]

Nice first shot! What processing sw do you have? Take a few sec shots for the core and the longer ones for the neb. If you use PS, here's a good tutorial:

http://www.astropix.com/HTML/J_DIGIT/LAYMASK.HTM

M42 is a hard one to process due to its high dynamic range. Why not try on an easier object? I'm sure someone will suggest a good one. Have a look here:

http://dso-browser.com/

Onwards and upwards!

Alexxx

[alexjj67]

Nice first shot! What processing sw do you have? Take a few sec shots for the core and the longer ones for the neb. If you use PS, here's a good tutorial:

http://www.astropix.com/HTML/J_DIGIT/LAYMASK.HTM

M42 is a hard one to process due to its high dynamic range. Why not try on an easier object? I'm sure someone will suggest a good one. Have a look here:

http://dso-browser.com/

Onwards and upwards!

Alexxx

That link for the DSO Browser is excellent.

[Astrosurf]

Glad you like!

Don't go for emission nebs as your camera's unmodded. Sorry if you already knew that!

[Aeseir]

Glad you like!

Don't go for emission nebs as your camera's unmodded. Sorry if you already knew that!

Hehehe i been trying to get that browser added to the useful links page for months now http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/220950-deep-space-object-online-browser/ with no luck

Otherwise thanks guys.

Using PS, trying to decide on Nebulosity or DSS for stacking. Still tweaking my PA as i always pack up every night (can't setup pier yet), so that is biggest bane.

[NickK]

I think you'll be fine with the non-drift guiding. Start there, then the rest is processing (which also changes with new equipment!).

[frostynixon]

Well done! I would most likely get the reducer in addition. Makes imaging easier

[Aeseir]

That's with F6.3 reducer. Using 40d to image.

[MarsG76]

I'm glad you figured it out.. looking forward to more of your pics.