M42 from Queensland Astrofest 2013

[firstlight (Tony)]

I was making a concious effort NOT to take images of all the usual suspects, but when Orion rose and there was no mist, I couldn't resist. It did mean that I had to take greater range of exposures than I expected. This is my PB and I'm wrapped, even if every man, his dog AND pet budgie has imaged it .

Orion Nebula (M42). NEQ6, Williams Optics 110 Megrez, WO type 2 0.8x field flattener, fl 524mm, Modded Canon 450D, 10 x 30sec 400 ISO, 10 x 60sec 400 ISO, 10 x 180sec 800 ISO, 5 x 300sec 800 ISO (70 minutes total), darks and flats. Stacked in Deep Sky Stacker, processed PixInsight, finished and layer masks with Photoshop CS5.

[h0ughy (David)]

done well mate - field is a bit uneven or elongated but there is always something eh? you did a great job processing

[Rod771 (Rod)]

Congrats on the PB Tony! Well done mate

Dont worry about posting M42 , such a pretty target.

[firstlight (Tony)]

Thanks David and Rod.

It is such a great target and pretty challenging. I have already decided that it will need another repro... this one was still a bit rushed and I think I missed a few steps in some of the layers. I have NO idea what I'm doing in PI, but hey, that's the joy of new software, and this one is pretty full-on.

[nebulosity. (Jo)]

Thats beautiful Rod

Jo

[RickS (Rick)]

I think that's the best of the bunch so far, Tony. Well done!

[firstlight (Tony)]

Thanks Rick. This and the Cat's Paw are the ones I am most happiest with, that I have put on the forum so far.

I think you might have seen the Horsehead at the last AAQ meeting, Anne-Louise put it up on the screen I believe. I got more data from Leyburn 2 weeks ago, and have improved on it, I have only recently gotten PixInsight so I will be looking to a repro of that in the near future.

[RickS (Rick)]

Originally Posted by firstlight

I think you might have seen the Horsehead at the last AAQ meeting, Anne-Louise put it up on the screen I believe. I got more data from Leyburn 2 weeks ago, and have improved on it, I have only recently gotten PixInsight so I will be looking to a repro of that in the near future.

I'm looking forward to the new version, Tony!

[batema (Mark)]

Great M42 Tony. How good was Astrofest. I must go for the whole time one year.

[TimberLand (Justin)]

Guilt as charged. I can't talk about the usual suspects, I have my set group and M42 is one of them they are good yard sticks to see I'm going on improving my imaging (or going backwards in some cases).

Tony you have nailed it with this shot, but I ask is there an upgrade itching somewhere or are you going to rest for a while and take in the views you have captured.

Your setup is working well don't give into the upgrade urge until it is completely nessessary.

Hang on all upgrades are essential who needs food and air is free.

Justin

[firstlight (Tony)]

Sure was great, Mark. I was trying to concentrate on a few objects and limit the amount of different exposures and ISOs to keep the dark frames manageable, but that plan crashed and burned when Orion rose and the mist stayed away. It is pretty well mandatory to stay for the full book as the weather can be cruel and you only might get a couple of nights, although this year it was fantastic. I believe that in 1998 (I didn't attend) it was the complete opposite and there was no let up to bad weather.

Justin, I am keen to do some sort of upgrade, if only to capture in consistent temperature. I like the look of the Central DS 1100D and 600D mods, but I can't commit to that sort of expenditure in the short term. So I'll just poke along with the 450D and the 2008 laptop. I found that I could image for the night with the batteries I have, although I didn't have to use much dew zapping. More batteries needed to image from 240V free zones . I do agree that my rig will be sufficient for the near future.

[Ross G]

Great capture Tony.

Nothing wrong with photographing great looking objects year after year.

Ross.