Orion Nebula (M42/NGC1976) - first light(?)

[troypiggo]

First attempt at astrophotography after a couple of months of reading and reading, and only a few clear nights of learning how to align and guide. I got too impatient attempting drift alignment, too hard without illuminated reticle I think.

I decided to use M42 as my first attempt because it was images of it by Steve (Nighthound) from POTN that got me interested in astrophotography in the first place. Plus, I figure there are plenty of great examples for me to compare and see what it should look like.

Think I used too long exposures for this, next time might try more shorter exposures. Shot with 30D mounted on ED80 scope and HEQ5 Pro mount, 5 x 3min shots at ISO800, 5 x dark frames, and 5 bias frames, guided with PHD, stacked with Deep Sky Stacker, and post processed in Gimp using curves and GreyCStoration noise reduction plugin.

Please let me have any critique and/or comment you have to help.

PS - Yes, I know there's a big sensor spot bottom left, sorry.

PPS - I had an absolute ball processing this and can't wait to get out again.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3484/3195922587_2ef3828fa6_o.jpg

[RobF]

Fantastic first effort Troy. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Hagar]

Great first image Troy well done.

[rastis95]

fantastic image for you first attempt, keep at it you can only get better.
Cheers
Scott:D

[troypiggo]

Thanks very much guys. Think I need to take some shorter exposures to get rid of that overexposed bit in the heart of the nebula. Next time :)

[multiweb]

Fantastic first shot :thumbsup: Keep going.

[Garyh]

Good one Troy, focus and guiding look good :thumbsup:
You could go longer if your LP lets you,like maybe 5-6 min subs but like you say you shall need some like 1 mi subs and some even shorter for the core as M42 has such a huge dynamic brightness which makes it a little more tricky on the processing side.
Keep adding and have fun!
cheers Gary

[troypiggo]

Thanks very much for the encouragement, guys.

Gary - LP? Oh, Light Pollution?