M42 and Running Man from Wiruna 127mm APO

[Astrod00d]

Hi All,

Here is my first attempt at M42 using the 127mm APO and QHY8. Last summer I was imaging unguided with an ED80 and a 400d, so things have evolved quickly over the last few months.

This image was captured at Wiruna on September 28/29, conditions were clear but windy.

5x10-minute subs, with 5x1-minute and 3x30s subs to bring out some detail around the trapezium. Each group of subs was average stacked in DSS and the resulting 3 files were layered in PS. Lots of fiddling around with curves levels and layer opacity to achieve the desired effect.

I've tried to raise the background level to show detail in the outer dust clouds, please let me know if the result looks OK on your monitors, it looks OK on mine although I find a darker background more dramatic :)

A larger, more detailed version is here:
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~robk/astronomy/images/M42_08092802.jpg

The rig:
127mm APO modified focuser, QHY8, EQ6 rebuilt, guided QHY5+ED80+PHD via EQMOD ascom.

Cheers,

Rob

[leon]

Nicely captured Rob, that little bloke stands out very well, as dose M42, lovely image.

leon

[gerry aarts]

Rob another ripper image.
The 30 sec subs blending to get the detail in the trapezium seems to work well.
The colours are very nice and the image looks good on my laptop.
Regards
Gerry

[AlexN]

Faaaantastic mate! I'm having a go at this one tonight with the QHY8 + M102.. :)

[Astrod00d]

Here's another version, a bit of a play in PS with midtone levels, and boosted the cyan a little to highlight the Running Man. Shadows and highlights have been left as-is.
The differences are subtle but I think the increased saturation helps the Running Man and there's a little more emphasis on the red clouds in M42 as well.
There are just so many ways to process, and so many ways to consider the same object.

Link to a higher resolution version (1MB)
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~robk/astronomy/images/M42_08092803.jpg

Your opinions and comments, as always, are welcome.

Cheers,

Rob

[seeker372011]

the running man in particular has come out really nicely

[Matty P]

Excellent image Rob.

Both the Running Man and M42 have come out great. The detail you have captured and brought out in post processing is lovely.

Overall a very crisp and clean image.

Very well done. :thumbsup:

[AlexN]

redo of the mid tones has worked brilliantly.

[2020BC]

Beautiful:thumbsup:!

[Hagar]

Lovely image Rob. Isn't evolution wonderful. I am tracking the same route and look back at some of my old images that I was really happy with and now wonder why I have kept them. Interesting to look back.

Keep them coming.

[multiweb]

That's a beautiful rendition Rob. You nailed the focus and framing on this one. Tracking's spot on and processing excellent. Top work! :thumbsup:

[Astrolabe]

Very good Rob :thumbsup::thumbsup:

George (astrolabe)

[Buddman]

Awesome, makes my efforts with a 350D and an ED80 seem.... well, I think you know what I mean.
Adam

[h0ughy]

nice work mate

[Astrod00d]

Thanks for all the great comments guys! Orion is such an exciting region for imaging, I think we're going to see some truly amazing work from the experienced imagers this summer. Every year the images presented on this site just get better!

Cheers,

Rob

[dugnsuz]

Couldn't agree more Rob, and yours is one of them!;)
The reprocess is exceptional
Doug:thumbsup:

[Astrod00d]

Hey, I didn't mean to knock the ED80 and 400d combo. I got some great images with the ED80/400d, once I started guiding with a short-tube 80 and a webcam. It was a nice, lightweight and easy to use rig. Orion is a good target for your 350d and ED80, you can take short subs and stack them for a great result.

Cheers,

Rob