Canon 450D First(ish) light - M42 and Pleiades

[RobF]

Some pics from a session at Davewaldo's here in Brissy last night. I'm still decidely low tech and relying on unguided exposures currently, so blown away to get a couple of nice pics to take away.

M42 probably overcooked, but exciting for me - have been yearning to see more from the scope than my eyes can manage. :)
Looks like our efforts to get properly polar aligned paid off in the end. Didn't really compose the field for the Pleiades too well though I s'pose.

M42: ISO 800, 1x239 secs, no filters, unguided, rubber-band holding down the shutter release and soggy mag for exposure control!
M45: ISO 400, 1x30 secs

Thanks again Dave for a great night and organising the weather :thumbsup:

[vash]

well that m42 shows some potential, and nice tight stars for unguided, not to mention that space aged shutter release. It really does make a difference getting good polar alignment.
Now all you have to do is take a few more and start stacking to remove the nose and what not.

Congrats on the first light

I'm currently on my first light with my new 450D as I type, over 1 hours of data so far collected.

[Dennis]

Nice work Rob. Very impressive image for a non auto guiding set up. I just love looking at M42; it never ceases to inspire me.

Cheers

Dennis

[davewaldo]

Great work there Rob!

It was a fun night, but I don't think I can take credit for the Weather which was so wonderful!

You're well on your way to some impressive astro-images. :thumbsup:

[RB]

That's a fine M42 Rob, with very nice detail and great image scale.

:thumbsup:

[Matty P]

Very nice images Rob, M42 looks great. :)

Keep up the great work. :thumbsup: