Probably the best M42 I've ever imaged

[ballaratdragons]

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)

[Buddman]

Well I'm impressed.

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.

Adam

[jjjnettie]

It's a beautiful image Ken.

[ballaratdragons]

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!

[EzyStyles]

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 :)

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks Eric :thumbsup:

:lol: I cut the red down in the camera capture program after being told my M42's are too pinkish.

[Alchemy]

:)

[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

[acropolite]

Excellent image Ken, you are indeed the master of the ToUcam.:prey2::prey2::prey2:

[RB]

Spectacular work with the ToUcam Ken !!!

[Garyh]

Thats excellent Ken for a toucam!
:thumbsup:

[avandonk]

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?

Bert

[Ric]

Lovely Ken, that is a top image of M42. You've captured some very nice depth and detail in the outer gas clouds.

The work you are doing with the toucam is fantastic and it looks like you are getting a good handle on the processing as well.

Looking forward to more.

Cheers

[bloodhound31]

Ken,

I love the nebulosity you have captured around that star near the top left. Haven't noticed it before.

Well done.

Baz.

[ballaratdragons]

Wow, big praise from everyone. Thanks all.

Might have to send this one to the poolroom.

Yes Bert, the pedestal pier is far better than the tripod. Very stable, no tangled cables and no scope hitting legs :thumbsup:


:rofl: patience.

Yeah, the 'little piece of silver plastic' can pull rabbits out of hats if you keep at it.

[h0ughy]

well donr Mr dragons - wow never thought is possible but its true - you have the evidence!!!

[Omaroo]

I'm going to start calling you "ToUKen". Great shot. :thumbsup:

[bloodhound31]

:bowdown: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!:eyepop:Mine is on it's way with a new laptop....seeing your image here is just torture! I can't wait!!!!:cool::party2::party::jump: :rundog::tasdevil:

Awesome stuff Ken.

Baz.

[ballaratdragons]

Yep, in living colour! :lol:



Naaahhhhhh . . .

but Maestro sounds good :rofl:



Hey Baz, if you ordered a 'Modified' Toucam you will love it :thumbsup:

Hopefully see some images with it from you soon.

[sheeny]

Excellent work, Ken!

Al.

[ballaratdragons]

Thankyou for the tip, Eric.
Is this any better? compared to the original (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=36877&d=1199969588).

[duncan]

Another magnificent image:thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

Same image, Duncan. Just the red channel fixed :thumbsup:

[duncan]

OOOoooopps! Well it's still a magnificent image!LMHO!
Cheers:thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks Duncan.

I actually prefer it to the original. It's all Erics fault :lol:

[leon]

Well Ken, I have to say you can certainly get your monies worth out of a humble Toucam, top shot. :thumbsup:

Leon :thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks Leon :)

Monies worth?? This is still the same Toucam that Bert gave away nearly 2 years ago :P
so I certainly did get MORE than my monies worth :lol:

[netwolf]

Ken you are the king of the Toucam of that there is no doubt. A beautiful image.

[Eternal]

:eyepop: I bow to the Master of Toucam!!!!:bowdown:

[danielsun]

Excellent Ken!!!:thumbsup:

[skeltz]

Cracker images there ken,you have undoubtedly got the toucam mastered,i am impressed!!