M42 Orion Nebula

[Chefgage]

Orion again! Well it is that time of year

 

Capture information
HEQ5 Pro mount
Skywatcher 72ED Refractor
ASIAIR pro
ASI294mc-pro colour camera
Optolong L-Enhance filter
ZWO ASI120mm mini guide scope

Gain 120
EXP 180s
Lights 53
Darks 20
Flats 20
Flat Darks 20

Total exposure time 2 hours 39 minutes minutes 
Moon distance from target 30° 20' 25"

This is a work in progress. I hope to get another couple of hours on this target before it disappears till later in the year.  Moon was 71.4% illuminated. Gone for a subtler colours this time. I tend to over do the pinks in this image.

 

Edited February 17, 2022 by Chefgage

[Catanonia]

A cracking and very natural coloured image. I prefer them this way.

Are you using a flattener / reducer and if so is your ccd distance correct as you have mis formed stars in the corners ?

Edited February 17, 2022 by Catanonia

[Chefgage]

1 hour ago, Catanonia said:

A cracking and very natural coloured image. I prefer them this way.

Are you using a flattener / reducer and if so is your ccd distance correct as you have mis formed stars in the corners ?

I am using a OVL flattener (no reducer). Yes I know what you mean. I think I am suffering from tilt as I had the same issue using the same image train with my DSLR. 

I remember a post from Vlaiv on this site about pushing in the image train into the scope part and then doing up the thumb screws which might help a bit. I have not got round to trying this.

I do have an adapter that is screw threaded so it does away with the skywatcher 72ed thumb screw connection. But the issue with this is I cannot then rotate my camera for framing.

[Chefgage]

2 hours ago, Catanonia said:

A cracking and very natural coloured image. I prefer them this way.

Are you using a flattener / reducer and if so is your ccd distance correct as you have mis formed stars in the corners ?

Just re-read your reply regards distance. I believe I have the correct distance (although I don't mind being corrected). Going by the documentation and adapters that came with the camera I do believe I have the correct distance. There seems to be a common thing in my imaging train and two different cameras. That's why I put it down to tilt. I do need to address it definitely. As I find myself cropping quite a bit.