m78

[gonzostar]

Hi 

This image was taken with 10 *60sec lights (also with darks, flats) I am using a 8"SCT and a canon 450d camera with a cls filter. The used DSS and then processed using gimp.

Any ideas for improvement would be gratefully accepted 

[PeterCPC]

As the subs are short, I assume that you are not guiding? To get best results you should consider guiding to get longer exposures. Also, more subs would get you more data to stack.

Peter

[gonzostar]

I have an autoguider which i am trying to figure out. At the moment because of lack off reasonable evening i just want to get shooting! What would be a good number of subs for nebula?

[PeterCPC]

The short answer is - as many as you can get. If you are limited to 60secs then I would try to get at least 30 but preferably more. On this type of nebula I would always try to get at least an hours worth of subs. You will always get more detail with longer subs though.

Peter

[ollypenrice]

This target is really a bit big for your field of view and, since it is terribly faint, it is a difficult choice for such a slow scope. I do think you'll struggle. (To be honest, even with the right skies and the right kit I've never actually pulled off an M78 that I was at all happy with. It's a bit of a devil!) More subs, longer subs, only try on perfect nights, never in the moonlight... That's about it, really.

Olly

[gonzostar]

Thanks the feedback. Yes i guess i was a little to ambitious. Also once i figure out the autoguider that will help!