10 mins work on M42

[tornado33]

Hi all
Got off 10 mins on M42 tonight before cloud decided I was done for the night
I meant to take a few 5 minute shots at ISO 200, but accedentally took one at ISO 1600, then got one at ISO 200, then clouded out.

1x5 mins ISO 1600, masked with 1x5 mins ISO 200, with the 6 inch F3.6 Schmidt Newt "Cometracker" Modded 350D, MPCC and UHCS filter processed in Iris, Photoshop and Noiseware, resized with good old Paintshop pro 4.

The odd ring shaped object between M42 and the running man nebula is an internal reflection from the un coated corrector plate.
Hand guided
Scott

[seeker372011]

reminds me of the david malin M42 image from the Anglo australian

http://www.seds.org/messier/more/m042_aat.html

(though dare I say it I think david malin's image is way too unsharp masked)

[Ric]

Great image Scott and lovely colours as well, the running man came out a treat too.

Cheers

[h0ughy]

A comparison of files reveals why Pentax *istDS cameras should never be used for deep space astro shots. For short lunar images they are OK but not long exposure shots. The image is made up of a few 5 minute, 3 minute 2 and 1 minute shots at iso 200. It is bl00dy horrible. There is more noise in it than a blizzard in the arctic. Note same scope same night, same autoguider (he he Scott) and same setup using Scott’s cometraker , his coma corrector etc. no auto noise setting was used, darks , flats, bias were taken and used in the mutilation of this image. The blue bias was impossible to get rid of, LOL. Wonder if you can see the difference?:rofl:

[Garyh]

Another nice wider field shot Scott!!!
You are churning out some nice pics with that comet catcher!!!
Very well done!...:thumbsup:

Houghy, what a ghostly green m42....but you have focused and guided well too, maybe you can play with the hue settings in PS? I nearly bought a *ISTds and changed my mind for the canon after seeing all the great shots on the internet.
Cheers

[RB]

Stunning result Scott.
Nice comparison Houghy.

[tornado33]

Thanks all
Yes the Cometracker and Bert's 300mm lens are more forgiving compared to the 10 inch scope, so I might keep using just those for the time being. I can also sit while guiding :)
Scott

[acropolite]

Stunning shot Scott:thumbsup: