Good first image Benno
M42 was my first image posted on IIS too and I took a little trip down memory lane today looking at the replies the members gave me. It provided great advice and encouragement which spurred me on.
There's plenty of good advice here and you're off to a great start
have a look at MY first post from 2006 (and yes, though you can barely recognize it....it IS M42 !
)
Keep at it look forward to your other images
cheers
frank