Not dark enough!

[jet486]

Took my first images of Orion at the backyard of my Sydney home. This consisted of a Nikon D70 (18-70 lens) on a tripod with shutter set on bulb at f4.5. Using a remote I set the exposures at 23-30sec's. When finished I connected my camera to the computer where apon the images showing the star patten of Orion but and allowing for star trails the night sky wasn't dark enough. I realise that viewing the night sky in the middle of Sydney is not the best place to be due to light pollution but it isn't always easy to travel over 2 hours to find a suitable site to observe and take photo's. So what I am asking is there a software programe available that explains to beginners like me what I can do to improve my photo's. Sorry about the length of question. Cheers and happy new year.

[OzRob]

Jerry Lodriguss has some good information on his website: Catching the Light (http://www.astropix.com/)

Here is a link to the section of processing: Digital Image Processing (http://www.astropix.com/HTML/J_DIGIT/TOC_DIG.HTM)

It might be useful if you posted one of the images as someone should be able to help you improve it.

[Nightskystargaz]

Jet,

You should here in Chicago (Whie Zone) Light Pollution.

I'm lucky to see 2nd Mag. Stars.

CS,KLU,

:thanx:,

Tom

[jet486]

Rob, How does one post a image?

[OzRob]

When you create a post scroll down and in the Additional Options box find Manage Attachments. I think you will be OK from there. Just make sure that the file is not too big.