Canon 450D First(ish) light - M42 and Pleiades

[RobF (Rob)]

Some pics from a session at Davewaldo's here in Brissy last night. I'm still decidely low tech and relying on unguided exposures currently, so blown away to get a couple of nice pics to take away.

M42 probably overcooked, but exciting for me - have been yearning to see more from the scope than my eyes can manage.
Looks like our efforts to get properly polar aligned paid off in the end. Didn't really compose the field for the Pleiades too well though I s'pose.

M42: ISO 800, 1x239 secs, no filters, unguided, rubber-band holding down the shutter release and soggy mag for exposure control!
M45: ISO 400, 1x30 secs

Thanks again Dave for a great night and organising the weather

[vash (Ashley)]

well that m42 shows some potential, and nice tight stars for unguided, not to mention that space aged shutter release. It really does make a difference getting good polar alignment.
Now all you have to do is take a few more and start stacking to remove the nose and what not.

Congrats on the first light

I'm currently on my first light with my new 450D as I type, over 1 hours of data so far collected.

[Dennis]

Nice work Rob. Very impressive image for a non auto guiding set up. I just love looking at M42; it never ceases to inspire me.

Cheers

Dennis

[davewaldo]

Great work there Rob!

It was a fun night, but I don't think I can take credit for the Weather which was so wonderful!

You're well on your way to some impressive astro-images.

[RB (Andrew)]

That's a fine M42 Rob, with very nice detail and great image scale.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Very nice images Rob, M42 looks great.

Keep up the great work.