Last night I was determined to do better at M42. I wanted to image at different exposures and give it the High Dynamic Range treatment. This allows the Trap show show up without burnout.
I am very pleased with the result.
I enlarged the image too and it still kept fairly good detail for a Toucam on Long Exposure!
I hope you like it. I do.
ED80, Modified Toucam 840k, 0.6x FR, 120mm Achro guidescope with standard Toucam.
Capture Details: 5 x 0.5 seconds, 5 x 2 seconds, 7 x 4 seconds, 9 x 8 seconds, 9 x 12 seconds, 12 x 20 seconds, 12 x 30 seconds, 12 x 40 seconds, 15 x 60 seconds, 20 x 80 seconds, 25 x 110 seconds.
Processing: High Dynamic Range stacking in EasyHDR, De-Hot Pixelled & Guassian Blur in PhotShop.
1. Normal size
2. the enlargement (click on image when open)
Last edited by ballaratdragons; 11-01-2008 at 12:43 AM.
Since we (myself and another Physics teacher) have managed to get hold of some decent equipment recently M42 has been the only object that the Queensland weather has allowed us to image (near full moon in the 'burbs) a month ago.
I compare what we did to other (stunning) images and drool.
Well done. I love the detail in the nebulosity as well as the stars that illuminate the heart.
Thank you Adam and Jeanette.
It took a lot of work (as you can imagine with this Toucam), but it was well worth it!
I am still amazed myself when I look at it. I have never before captured so much of the faint wispy gas at the outside of the wings. Usually I only get the nebula on the inside of the wings!
beautiful capture there ken. much better with the masking. you have the details in that shot but might be slightly greenish. increase the levels in the red chanel abit
beautiful capture there ken. much better with the masking. you have the details in that shot but might be slightly greenish. increase the levels in the red chanel abit
Thanks Eric
I cut the red down in the camera capture program after being told my M42's are too pinkish.
Once again, amazing stuff Ken.
I look at the little piece of silver plastic attached to my guidescope and think 'how does he do it!!??'. It's hard enough for me just to get a guidestar with the damn thing!
Well done - top work.
Doug
Very amazing result Ken. But if you think about it the 80ED with FR is now a 450mm FL F4.5! This really helps to get the faint nebular detail. The HDR really helps as well to keep the brighter stars from blowing out.
Just go to show what can be done by being innovative and determined.
Really well done Ken! How do you find the pedestal for stability compared to the tripod?
Yes Bert, the pedestal pier is far better than the tripod. Very stable, no tangled cables and no scope hitting legs
Quote:
Originally Posted by dugnsuz
Once again, amazing stuff Ken.
I look at the little piece of silver plastic attached to my guidescope and think 'how does he do it!!??'. It's hard enough for me just to get a guidestar with the damn thing!
Well done - top work.
Doug
patience.
Yeah, the 'little piece of silver plastic' can pull rabbits out of hats if you keep at it.
Double wow and double well done! I didn't read the post properly the first time. I just realised you did this with a webcam!Mine is on it's way with a new laptop....seeing your image here is just torture! I can't wait!!!!
well donr Mr dragons - wow never thought is possible but its true - you have the evidence!!!
Yep, in living colour!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omaroo
I'm going to start calling you "ToUKen". Great shot
Naaahhhhhh . . .
but Maestro sounds good
Quote:
Originally Posted by bloodhound31
Double wow and double well done! I didn't read the post properly the first time. I just realised you did this with a webcam!Mine is on it's way with a new laptop....seeing your image here is just torture! I can't wait!!!!
Awesome stuff Ken.
Baz.
Hey Baz, if you ordered a 'Modified' Toucam you will love it