here's an image I did earlier this year but only just recently re-processed to get it looking right (I think).
It's an 18-minute total exposure time consisting of 6 x 180 second exposures @ ISO200 with dark frame subtraction, bias and flat-fielded and 3 x 15 second exposures @ ISO200 to mask the core. Imaging was using my 12" f/5 'scope on the old Samson GEM with my modified Canon 300D.
Thanks everyone for your inspirational comments about the image of M42 that I did.
The easiest thing about imaging M42 is the fact that it's so comparably brighter than other deep sky objects.
On the other hand, the hardest thing about imaging M42 is that it's central region is so bright, it generally over exposes and saturates white on even relatively short exposures.
So my recent challenge was to create an image of M42 without the core region being saturated, and this latest image is a result of that "challenge".
So thanks again for your comments, glad you liked the image.
like the detail and natural look to it.
