M42 and Running Man 27.9 hours

[Paul Haese]

In November I started this project with a view to doing an image of this target that showed way more dust than I had ever shown before in previous images of this target. Added to that I wanted it to be outstanding from the norm (debatable really but a good goal) and it has to be noise free.

I have actually gathered over 50 hours of data on this image but have rejected a lot of data due to a rotation problem and due to FWHM rejection (about 10% of the data rejected).

Overall I am pretty pleased with the outcome and the goals I set, but am sure there is more that can be done. For now though here is 27.9 hours of M42 and the Running man

Click here for larger resolution image.

[Rod771 (Rod)]

Geez! Its a bit dusty Paul

I would say the goal has been achieved, lots of faint detail revealed .

Very well done

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Yep - I agree. Nice work Paul! Certainly proves the point about long exposures.

Cheers

Steve

[leinad (Dan)]

That is quite impressive!

The deconvolution halos are slightly distracting from the whole piece looking at the details.. other than that.. real nice.

Some shdw/highlight depth in the neb wisps would make this look amazing.

[MrB (Simon)]

Wow.
I love the smoke-like wisps in front of M42, I don't recall ever noticing these before.
Same can be said for the folds and swirls in the upper right of M42 and between it and running man.
Awesome.

[astronobob (Bob)]

Beeuuwty, Near a Dead silent image Paul
Very Inspiring to many for sure

[Shiraz (Ray)]

that is excellent Paul - top quality . regards Ray

[h0ughy (David)]

well there is no noise, its smooth, detailed, and bl00dy unreal

[batema (Mark)]

Beautiful image.

[allan gould]

You have achieved your aims superbly Paul and then some. Dust like curdled chocolate and faint wispy veils galore - a really excellent image.
Allan

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

I was just having another peek at M42 tonight Paul & Sharing with my Partner, This is a great image to contrast with what we saw ! Certainly the best image I have ever seen of M42

[alpal]

Hi Paul,
That's a superb image - so deep with beautiful brown detailed dust.
What improvements could be made?
Maybe make the 4 trapezium stars could be made more easily visible?
It's hard to know when to stop processing.

well done

cheers
Allan

[leinad (Dan)]

Have also just spent more time viewing on the iPad Retina,... Visually stunning looking around!

I've been swapping back and forwards with Rob Gendlers high res mosaic.
This though to the eye looks amazing, one of the best renditions I think I've ever seen. Smooth, detailed, colors, really good.
Def' APOD material.

[wellchem (John)]

This is the reason I take astrophotos, to see the detail not visible in the eyepiece. Just stunning!!!!! Thanks for posting.

John

[multiweb (Marc)]

That's a really nice M42. Very well done.

[Rigel003 (Graeme)]

Can't say enough good things about this. Nice composition in the frame, it's big, smooth, lots of fine detail and rich in colour and texture. A great achievement.

[dvj (John)]

Exceptional image. Why? Not oversaturated in color, low noise, high dynamic range from high contrast to low contrast regions without looking forced. Doesn't get much better than this.

j

[alistairsam]

Simply stunning Paul. Theres so much to take in, beautifully processed.
The details in the structure between m42 and the RM and the top right of m42 are so crisp and clear. Amazing.

Cheers
Alistair

[Marios (Marios)]

Click here for larger resolution image.[/QUOTE]

[Phil Hart]

That is a very fine image Paul. Lovely smooth background, great textures and beautiful colours. I would be *very* happy with that.

Phil