My M42 for 2010

[Sparrow]

Well at last some clear skies. My main targets of IC434 and M33 are in progress and I got this at the end of my imaging session. Just 6 x 5 minute exposures at 800ASA. Flats taken. I'm still getting used to the 66mm Astrotech but I'm quite pleased with its performance.

Slight gradient that needs dealing with but otherwise I'm quite pleased. Hope you like it.

[johnh]

Now that is very good with trapezium not burnt out, I think you may be able to extract even more data from that. M42 is a bit too red as I think there are faint blues there but Running Man is developing nicely.

John.

[Sparrow]

I've had a bit more time to work on the processing now so hopefully this is a better rendition of the image.

[Quatermass]

Thats really nice, its inspired me to concentrate my efforts on getting a better image of the Orion Nebula. I have to get a shutter release cable for my camera so I can get longer exposures at the moment all I can get is 30 second at 800 but my camera is capable of 4 minute exposures. Also a pair of snow shoes might help!

[oldfruit]

That`s a really lovely picture. It`s pictures like this that get so many people like myself into the hobby in the first place.

[philj]

I really must get one of those 66 scopes the fov is superb. Nice image, lovely colour

Philj

[Sparrow]

Thanks for those kind comments. Yes the 66mm Astrotech is proving to be a pretty good telescope and I too love the wider filed of view it offers. I've been really pleased with its performance so far. It's also a lot lighter to carry outside than the 8" newt:).

Hopefully more results from the Astrotech to follow

[astroimpulse]

Just 6x5 mins

That's impressive. And there's very little noise (if any)!

Lovely stuff

[Sparrow]

Yep - 6 x 5 minutes - no darks either on this occasion - just flats which are essential for the vignetting. I'd been imaging the Horsehead all evening and just turned to this late on for a bit of fun as I love M42 - it was my first DSO 3 years ago and I still like to return to it.

BTW - The temperature was -7 centigrade which is why I was able to get away without darks.

[Coco]

very nice indeed...

[ollypenrice]

It is nice, yes, and is better with the blue boost. Have a go at layer masking in some shorts for the Trapezium, maybe. It is good to learn this technique.

Olly

[steppenwolf]

This is a very nicely balanced image with a well restrained core