M42

[Imme]

First up.....I've been hanging out in the beginner section for a while not wanting to slip in with the big boys here in the Deep Space because I didn't want to step in a section that doesn't match my skillset.
Having said that though.....and as there has been no invite forthcoming.....I've decided to throw my hat in the ring and see if I have a home here pushed back downstairs to the basement!

Here's my quick M42 from Friday night.
Approx 2.2 hours of lights using a ASI 1600 OSC.
3 minute subs through a FLT132 (guided of course!)
I've also blended in some 30 second subs to try and tame the core post processing in Startools. It's the first time I've tried blending but it seems to have come up ok.
All calibration frames used.
Larger version - https://www.astrobin.com/379175/?nc=user

I've struggled picking up dust before however this shot seems to have picked up some nice brown stuff. It's been a bit of a goal of mine to pick it up some I'm happy in that respect.
I know it is a little more 'tame' than many others on here however I like it a little more subtle - not in your face red.

OK wolves....over to you.

[Stonius]

I'm a beginner myself, but that looks great to me! Nice resolution and well done bringing out the dusty bits. Thumbs up from me. Looks like you're posting to the correct group to me :-)

[RickS]

First one looks good to me, Jon :thumbsup:

[Joshua Bunn]

great work Jon, I like the first one better.

[Peter Ward]

I would not worry about going from beginner to deep sky sections...there have been a few training-wheel efforts on IIS deep sky that do make you wonder...;)

None the less..A great M42! ...a popular subject but hard to do really well due the significant dynamic range. :thumbsup:

[SimmoW]

Wow, great debut image Jon! Yes the first looks most natural, and nice hoovering of the dust/gas

[multiweb]

Ooo... very tasty. #1 for me too. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Atmos]

The first one shows the whole dynamic range well and has good colour :thumbsup:

[Placidus]

Bravo! Heaps fully good. Looks like it came from a much larger instrument with much longer exposure. Beautifully processed.

And welcome!

[Imme]

Cheers guys.......this camera/scope just seems to ‘work’. I’m getting what I think are good results with relatively short exposures. Now I’ve got an understanding of how it all works together and the best exposure times/settings I look forward to doing some longer runs.
I was th8nking about going a mono camera but while I’m still pulling out pics like this I think I’ll stick with the simplicity OSC brings.



Thanks Atmos.





Agreed.....#1 is probably my fav too



Thanks Peter





Yep....#1 it is, thanks.



Cheers Stonius.