M42 - First serious effort

[CaptainKingsmill]

I've been trying in a very blasé way to capture Orion for a few years, starting way back about 10 years ago when I tried to build my own barn door tracker, which failed. to buying a cheap nonbrand unguided 4inch newt and taking short exposures. - again, nothing worthy of sharing. 

More recently last year I tried with my Sky watcher 102 evostar on an EQ3 with dual axis guide.  - Now this would have worked... but I decided to upgrade my mount a little to give me some more stability. 
The tracking difference was instantly noticeable, and I manged to get the first image that I'm quite happy with

just 15x60sec subs at iso1600 in B5 skies. no darks, flats, or bias (those are next now I know I can do it )

I know it's nothing compared to some of the amazing stuff that is on here, but for me, I was just happy to see some colours and wanted to share it. 
 

[Thingo]

Now, I'm completely focused on observing, but if I wasn't, I would be exceptionally satisfied if I had produced something like that. Well done!

[CraigT82]

Very nicely done, keep up the good work! 👍

[alan potts]

A very nice start, you have some lovely colours coming through there, as you say nice to see. I can't see that sort of colour even with a fairly large 18 inch scope. Something to build on but there are so many things to trip you up in this hobby, I am still making mistakes and i don't think I'm on my own.

Alan

[CaptainKingsmill]

Thank you for your support

My biggest limit at the moment is the number of clear nights of course.
I'd like to improve and practice on Orion since it's such bright target before moving on to more adventures.

I'm really hoping to expand my equipment list to include a large (ish) , quality newt to accompany my refractor soon too.

Edited March 19, 2021 by CaptainKingsmill