M42 First Try

[CapturingTheNight]

I have been itching to image this ever since I got my astrophotography setup about 4 months ago. Critique is welcome.

31/08/2011
3:30AM
Canon 1000D unmodified
10" F/4 Newtonian
NEQ6 Pro Mount
Baader Coma Corrector
80mm Orion ShortTube Guidescope
Synguider Autoguider
20 X 3 minute exposures
plus 10 X 30 seconds exposures for the core
ISO 400
Dark Frames subtracted (20 X 3min plus 10 X 30 seconds)
Images stacked and alligned in Deep Sky Stacker
Final processing in Photoshop Elements 8.0

99957

[niko]

stunning work Greg - well done! Great wisps of nebulosity

If I might suggest...? - maybe just knock the brightness down a tad, I find it just a bit bright in the core

keep it up and keep dodging those clouds

cheers

niko

[dynobolt]

Wow Greg, that's a magic "First M42":eyepop:. Top effort on the image and for staying up that late......or did you get up early?:lol:

Dave

[batema]

It is a stunning nebula. Well done.

[multiweb]

That's a great shot Greg, nice ans sharp. You'll find that if you back off the black point in your processing you will be able to bring out even more nebulosity.

[midnight]

Stunning Greg. You must have spent time getting your focus right. There's a lot of potential in this!

Well done mate!

How are you finding the Synguider?

Darrin...

[jjjnettie]

Ahhhh that's lovely!
So much better than that dodgy one I posted the other day.
:D

[desler]

That really is well done, A real credit to you!

Darren

[CapturingTheNight]

Thank you very much for the nice feedback and suggestion Niko :D I'll certainly take it on board



Thank you very much Dave :D I'm very happy with how it turned out. I setup the scope in the evening and then put a tarp over it, went to bed and got up just after 2am. Needless to say I slept well the next night when it was cloudy.



Thank you very much :D



Thank you very much for the nice feedback and advice Marc :D I'll have another play around with it one day.



Thank you so much Darrin :D A Bahtinov mask is the best purchase I ever made. Takes about 30 seconds to focus. Being all I am used to, I find the Synguider fairly easy to use, but as I just said it's all I know and i'm sure there are better and simpler ways to go about it. A parfocal eyepiece is essential in finding a guidestar. The big appeal is that I didn't need to spend yet more money on purchasing and running a laptop to do the guiding through a USB. When the ultimate dream of a home observatory is realised I'll probably get something different.



I wouldn't say yours is dodgy JJJ. I really like it. It actually inspired me to get up early and finally have a go at it. And you will always have the honour of being the first for the season :) Thank you so much for the nice feedback :D



Thank you so much Darren :D

[RB]

Wow Greg, for a first time at M42 you've done a lovely job.

:thumbsup:

[Osirisra]

That is a very, very nice first go at m42 indeedy! :)

[CapturingTheNight]

Thank you so much for the nice feedback Andrew and Ken :D

[atalas]

Looks great,well done Greg.

[CapturingTheNight]

Thank you so much Louie

[Ross G]

A great photo Greg.

Sharp, detailed and has a smooth, natural look.

Ross.

[CapturingTheNight]

Thank you so much for the nice feedback Ross :D I really appreciate that.