February 06/07, 2018: Not too displeased at this M42

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Set up the APM 80mm F/6 with TRF2008 0.8x focal reducer and Canon 550D (modded), on my EQ3-2 mount with ST80 guide scope and ASI178MM camera. I didn't get the guiding to work as I wanted it to so I just stuck to loads of short subs (20-30s). Only after taking the lot did I notice that the tracking rate was still et to solar . Oh well, if the skies are still clear this evening, I might have another shot, at a different target.

Nonetheless, APP stacked the 221 subs collected (using 60 darks and 120 flats), taking about 4 hours in total, background flattening and calibration in APP, and some unsharp masking and curves in FITSwork I got something that I really rather liked.

Not bad for my first serious attempt with the APM 80mm and 550D.

 

[Alien 13]

Looks good to me, nice tight Stars.

Alan

[Allinthehead]

Nicely processed. Looks very natural.

[teoria_del_big_bang]

Quote

 

Looks excellent to me. Again another great image that inspires me (and I am sure many other who are new to this) 

Steve

[tomato]

Very nice indeed, lovely crisp detail.

[ollypenrice]

Yup, a pleasing M42.

Olly

[Stu]

Very nice Michael.