First Nebula - M42

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

Out of curiosity, and after my first solar image, I had to see how my little camera went on M42.

I know this is humble stuff, but I am happy with my first attempt. Any advice gratefully accepted.

25 March 2012 1924hrs Local Time
Panasonic DMC-FT1
12" GoTo Sky Watcher Dobsonian
A-Focal and clamped to eyepiece
15 sec exposure
F3.3
ISO 80

[Poita (Peter)]

Great stuff, there is a lot more detail lurking in there are well, can you post the original image file somewhere? Can your camera shoot in RAW mode?

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

Thanks Peter,

I am on a very steep learning curve. I will have to get stuck into the instruction booklet to find out if the camera is capable of imaging in RAW.

I can email the original file to you. I will pm you with my email address.

Regards,
Stu.

[Poita (Peter)]

Thanks, I look forward to it.
While I was waiting, I had a go with the JPEG file in your first post, it is very dodgy processing, but even with that it shows there is some room to squeeze more out of it.
You have done a great job!

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

I am amazed at what you can do with one 15 second exposure. Thanks for your help Peter.

I will have to get your email address in order to send you the files. IIS will not let me send it to you as an attachment. I sent my email in a PM.

[Poita (Peter)]

A very quick go.
Grab a couple more and some 30s exposures and you will be able to stack them to bring out the details.

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

That is brilliant Peter. Thank you!

This could get addictive. I will have to get a good book on astro photography. I am way out of my depth, but I am enjoying taking the first few steps.

I am going to have a crack at Saturn now. Got to make the most of the clear skies.

Regards,
Stu.

[Forgey (Paula)]

WOW im supprised at what little compact camera can do. Nice!

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

So am I Paula. Thanks for looking.

I will have to learn how to stack images now. I am attempting to capture Saturn at the moment. Not an easy target with the gear I am using but it is still fun trying.

[EricB (Eric)]

Great job Stu! I have had a go at your JPEG of M42, just for processing practice. I can't get as much detail as on Peter's picture, but I have managed to reveal the wings a bit more than on the original picture.

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

Thankyou for having a go at improving the image. You managed to get some more detail and keep the image smooth. I tried fiddling with the basic options available on my system but could not reach the same quality that Peter or yourself achieved.

I will see if I can borrow my Brother's Canon 40D and buy an adaptor to use the prime focus method. I hope that this will greatly improve the quality of the images.

[Poita (Peter)]

The main thing that will improve the images is taking more of them.
Take 10 or more at 30s each or longer, then stacking becomes available, even with your current camera you will see an improvement.

[Stu Ward]

With a goto dob I recommend 15-20 secs and lots of em at a higher Iso setting.

Stu