The Orion Constellation in its natural environment

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi all

This image shows the Orion Constellation in its natural environment. It’s a widefield vista showing all the major components, including Betelgeuse, Rigel, the belt stars, M42, the Running Man, the Horsehead and the flame, parts of Barnards Loop and a faint display of IC 2118.

It’s only 35 minutes exposure, with no flats calibration, so it’s not as smooth as I’d hoped, but like all of my IISAC2009 images, it’s given me a glimmer of hope and something to aim for next time.

The image was taken at IISAC2009, on the Friday night when my USB hub was playing up and I couldn't control the camera from the laptop. I mounted my Canon 20D and my new 24-105mm L IS f/4.0 lens on top of my ED80 and pointed it at the Orion Constellation.

The exposures were guided through my 80mm refractor and the DMK21AU04, using PHD Guiding. The camera was controlled using the timer remote. The lens was at 47mm f/5.6, and each exposure was 5 minutes. Dark frame subtraction was done in-camera. 7 exposures @ ISO800, 35 minutes total data. No flats.

I'm really pleased with how the 24-105mm lens is performing - it's a definite keeper and will definitely make a return to this part of the sky in the future.

Blog Post - The Orion Constellation

1200px wide version

Thanks for looking.

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Nice shot Mike ,yes a very nice lens indeed

[gbeal]

Looks nice Mike, can't tease a bit more of the "Loop" out can you?
It is a "must do" for me this time round as well, I have a 55mm lens ready to go.
Gary

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks Al and Gary.

Gary - I did have a "brighter" version which showed up the loop and IC2118 more, but it looks a bit heavy handed in the processing so I scaled it back.

Here it is for comparison. It really just needs more data to be able to stretch it that much.

[troypiggo (Troy)]

I like the composition, and there is plenty of things to look at around there.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Nice wide field. Great focus. You can really make out the HH and flame area. I too was looking for the barnard loop.

[Paul Haese]

Huge wide field Mike. Barnards loop is just visible but as has been said more data.

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks Troy, Marc and Paul.

I might give it another go this weekend, but with the heat we're expecting it's going to produce some noisy images from the DSLR!

[White Rabbit]

Nice shot.

It never ceases to amaze me how many stars there are out there that we just never see. pictures like these really make you sit back and wonder.

Nice one.