The core of M42

[Zubenel]

My first using StarTools lots more to learn . This took more hours than I care to describe but it’s a learning curve. My goal was to reveal as much detail in the ore that is normally seen as blown out but retain the 6 stars in the Trapezium. Cheers and enjoy another rendition of this celestial wonder .
https://astrob.in/5n19l3/0/

[casstony]

Nice. It might be interesting to see the best frame of the Trap stars too Wes?

[davesokolich]

Very good work, and using Dob!

[multiweb]

:eyepop: That's an awesome trap shot. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Startrek]

Wes
Nice image of the trap
Well done !

[Dennis]

Excellent work Wes, this looks really nice.:)

Cheers

Dennis

[Ant0nio]

Very nice Wes. :thumbsup:

[mental4astro]

Nice work, Wes!

The Trapezium, being an open cluster, takes magnification very well. If you can, have another go at the Trapezium itself this time (it's 47' in size). There are MORE than 6 stars in it. One night of surprisingly steady seeing from my backyard in Sydney, using my 17.5" dob I managed to see not only Trap. A, B, C, D, E & F, but also G, H, & I at 200X.

The Trapezium itself as a unique object is just not targeted very much. It is totally overshadowed by the nebula it lights up. But the Trap. presents quite a technical challenge for photographers because large dynamic range between the stars that form the cluster.

And of course, knowing this now, one may also like to revisit the Trapezium visually, pushing up the magnification to challenge the optical quality of one's scope to resolve the fainter component stars beyond the 6 brighter stars. Aperture of larger than 10" is necessary.

Alex.