The Pleiades

[Emanuele]

Hi All! A few nights ago I made my first ever dark sky trip with some guys from my Astronomy Club!
This is my 1st image of a nebula that I have ever shot and processed!


Pentax 105 SDHF
EM200 Unguided
Canon 40D
Equinox and Nebulosity for acquisition.

39x60sec - ISO1600 - No darks, no flats, no bias.

Higher resolution picture (800K) here:
http://www.backyardskies.com/BackyardSkies/M45.html


Small preview:

[iceman (Mike)]

Wow that's a beautiful image, Emanuele. Thanks for posting.

[Emanuele]

Thank you Mike!

E.

[Peter Ward]

The halos around the brighter stars would have me a little worried, I'd suspect the Pentax has some spherical error.

Good effort just the same

[Emanuele]

Thanks Peter!
but ARGGGGH!!!!
What do you mean by spherical error? Should I be worried?

[wysiwyg (Mark)]

Great image there, very smooth and lots of detail.

My mat and I were just talking about this object and I was convinced that there is no nebulocity in that region. I stand corrected.

Thanks for posting!

[gregbradley]

Brilliant image for a first image.

How do you like your Pentax? They're a scope I haven't heard
too much about but I have seen some great shots with them.

Greg.

[Kal (Andrew)]

For a first ever nebula shot that looks fantastic! Nicely captured!

[dannat (Daniel)]

the camera has picked up the nebulosity really well, the stars do show a bit of halo though

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by Emanuele

Thanks Peter!
but ARGGGGH!!!!
What do you mean by spherical error? Should I be worried?

Depends how much error and how much the 'scope cost.

Easy enough to star test.

Out of focus stars should look the same either side of focus.
If you see a sharp outer edge on the out-of-focus disk on one side focus
and a very soft outer edge on the other side...then spherical error is the likely cause.

This link may help
http://www.atscope.com.au/BRO/tutori...ricalerror.jpg

[Lester]

That is a top quality image especially for a first attempt too.

Well done.

[Jen]

Nice work for your first pic
i cant wait to see what you can do in a few months time keem em coming cheers

[multiweb (Marc)]

Great picture Emanuele. I like it a lot.

[h0ughy (David)]

top effort for your first go - beats my first effort easily

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Great looking "first??????" nebula image

Mike

[Emanuele]

Thanks all! You guys are the best! Love all your kind words!

This Pentax 105SDHF is great! They are not very much known, but they are incredible instruments!
I have his big brother coming! The Pentax 125SDP! 88deg image circle!

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Way to go Emanuele!!! For your first go, an excellent result! Look forward to seeing more!

Cheers, Marcus

[Emanuele]

Thanks Marcus!
Can't wait to get out there and take some more subs on this object!

[Garyh]

Now that`s a nice M45! and with only 60sec exposures!
Well done Emanuele!
cheers Gary

[atalas]

Nice shot.