First attempt at M42

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Here's my first attempt at imaging M42. Taken through a 300 mm SLR lens using the DSI II. 50 x 5.7 sec exposures. I've realised how difficult it is to get a good image of this target as it has such a big difference in contrast.

[leon]

Peter longer exposures would have obviously given you more of the image, however it is all trial, and experience, and a long learning curve,
You have done well for your first attempt, keep at it

Leon

[spearo (Frank)]

onya Peter!
As Leon says, it's a good first go. Longer exposures will reveal much of this Deep Sky Object.
the setup of the equipment, th imaging and the processing will all contribute to the final product
cheers
frank

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Yep, your right about the contrast, Peter. M42 is well known to suffer burn-out in the core while trying to image the outer neb wings at longer exposures.

You'll find that if you take an image like the one above, then one a bit longer and another longer again showing ALL the nebula, you can stack them in easyHDR which is a program that stacks images to show all detail at differeing exposure lengths.

It will preserve the non burnt-out core, then it will add the next image and adjust the core brightness to match the 1st layer, and so on.
So, it is adding more and more brightness as the exposures are longer, but doesn't go beyond the brightest bits of previous images, giving you a wholly illuminated imaged without burn-out

[Lee]

You've done well - focus looks good...
With a fast SLR lens you should get heaps more nebula, even with 30s shots - the core will burn out then, and you'll need to layer it somehow - that's half the fun!

[Alchemy (Clive)]

welcome to astrophotography, its a great challenge, well worth the results if you persevere, did you piggyback ? have a go extending a bit longer, you may get some movement in some but take lots and discard the bad ones.

we all need encouragement in the early stages, so i give it to you in buckets ....keep going!

[Ric]

Well done Peter, your off to a good start in the fun world of astrophotography.

Cheers

[h0ughy (David)]

nice start peter

[peter_4059 (Peter)]

Thanks for the encouragement team.

Ken, does the free version of easyHDR do the trick or do you need the fancy version?

Cheers,

Peter