My first M42 with DSLR

[Stargazer292]

Hello everyone,
I'm posting an image of M42 taken on the 1st of March at 22:00 local time in Muchea WA with my Canon EOS400D and 300mm f5.6
stack of 8 exposures of 30" each.
The pic was taken with a very bad polar alignment and hand guiding with a SW 70/500 f/7.
I was trying to learn how to align the mount with the Dec drift method.
Regards, Andrew

[leon]

Andrew, for a fist image and the conditions you have explained the result is pretty good indeed, with a proper alignment and maybe with some longer exposures i'm sure you will be posting some awesome images, well done.

Leon

[dugnsuz]

Great first image Andrew.
Hope you don't mind, I tweaked the image in PS - you've got a little bit more data in there to be unleashed!!!

I also used a Photoshop 'action' to remove the purple chromatic aberration halos around the brighter stars.

All the best
Doug:thumbsup:

[theodog]

Great start Andrew.
Welcome to the steep learning curve(s).
Looking forward to more.

[Stargazer292]

You're more than welcome,
I'm here to learn. So... if you don't mind:P can you please tell me what you've used to transform my picture?
And I'd like to know the name of the PS filter that you used to eliminate that purple halo from the brighter stars,
thank you, Andrew

[dugnsuz]

Basically played around with the Histogram in the 'Levels' and 'Curves' tools in PS. Doing things discussed in following article...
http://www.astropix.com/HTML/J_DIGIT/DIGTECHS.HTM

Got rid of the purple halos with one of Noel Carboni's AstroActions...
http://actions.home.att.net/Astronomy_Tools_For_Full_Version.ht ml

Pm 'd you too!
Doug:thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

GREAT START ANDREW, it took me a long time to find out how to track and then process the shots I did take. Still learning both.

[Tamtarn]

That's a fine effort for your first image on IIS Andrew. :thumbsup:

Our first image was no where near that good.

Just keep asking questions, there are many on this forum that will help with any advice needed.

[Ric]

Well done Andrew, you are on your way. A fine start.

I know how you feel with polar alignment, I have just changed from Alt/Az to equatorial. :doh:

Lucky I don't have that much hair to pull out :lol:

Cheers

[multiweb]

Mate for a first time it's great! :thumbsup:
Your tracking looks good. Just got to focus on the focus ;). I think it's just a tad out. I had the same problems on my first and it makes bright stars look pinkish. Other than that great framing and all. Well done.

[Stargazer292]

A great thank you to everyone.
It' s very rewarding having all these constructive advice.
It's a very good start for me...

[Matty P]

A very good image for a first attempt, well done.

The colour looks great and you have round stars. A very good start.

I am looking forward to your next image(s). :thumbsup: