Orion

[Gavin1234]

This is my second attempt trying to photograph the Orion Nebula. Still a long way to go but its a huge improvement on my first attempt back in April when I got my first scope (also attached). I’ve had to wait to try it again because it’s been beyond the horizon where I live. Even now I have to get up at 4.45 am only to get about an hour in before sunrise. I’m very happy with the improvement and also very grateful for the help people on this site have given me so far.

 

 

 

[geordie85]

That's a massive improvement. You should be very happy with that.

I'd suggest taking some shorter frames for the core as it's extremely bright and far too easy to blow out.

[bobro]

Excellent colours and you have captured a lot of nebulosity. Keep up the good work!

[Gavin1234]

Thanks for that. I have taken some shorter subs but I’m not sure how I’d combine them in order to preserve the core. Do I just stack them as normal or is there some sort of layering process I need to do?

[Z3roCool]

I would stack the shorter exposures so you have a separate 'Final Image' to the main image.

Then use a layer in Photoshop (Or similar) and then delete the one layer with a Gaussian Blur to blend in the two exposures until it looks right.

Not able to watch this to check but think it shows the method of combining the 2 exposures together. Good luck

 

 

 

[geordie85]

4 hours ago, Gavin1234 said:

Thanks for that. I have taken some shorter subs but I’m not sure how I’d combine them in order to preserve the core. Do I just stack them as normal or is there some sort of layering process I need to do?

Stack your shorter subs using one of your longer subs as a reference so it'll be correctly aligned once they're stacked then follow this tutorial. 

http://www.astropix.com/html/j_digit/laymask.html

[rockinrome]

Really great picture - you also got the Running Man for free.....!!!