Afocal DSOs (M41/42/43, NGC1975/1977/1981)

[m_j_lyons]

Out following up on some Sky & Telescope guidework tonight - first time imaging M41. First time realizing that I've been seeing M43 for a while. First time being able to recognize other parts of Orion's sword.

Viewing done via Orion 4.5" starblaster - afocal imaging with cannon G11 using Orion Steadypix afocal mount. Images were done with 2-2.5 second exposures using F/2.6, ISO3200.

DSO via afocal leaves much to be desired but it does work. Living under 6-7 level bright skies doesn't help either.

All images have been slightly touched up for crop (to get them under 2mb), color saturation, small contrast change, and a slight sharpening.

Image list:

M41 - faint but visible

M42 (Orion Nebula) - decent color - M43 is also visible

NGC 1975/1977/1981 - M42/43 are at the top right...NGC1981 is at the bottom (almost W shaped)...NGC1977 is the area of the two bright stars in the center (very faint nebulosity visible)...NGC 1975 is between 1977 and 1981, three stars in a diagonal (no nebulosity visible).

Cheers.