M42 from February

[MikePS]

As I am new to the forum I thought I would post one of my few images.
M42 taken with a Nikon D80 on my ED80. 800 ASA 10 subs each 60 seconds stacked.
Final processing in Photoshop

[mickw]

Not bad for a first image, well done.

The colours are a bit off though and you could really do with longer subs which will give you more data to play with.

[JonH]

I'm probably not the best person to comment as my experience barely spans two months, But....
As Mick said longer subs will help a lot and as get's pointed out to me quite often, a lighter background might reveal some more detail.

Otherwise there is some good data there and it's quite a respectable image.

The stars down the left look a little out of shape, were you guiding?
Which mount are you using?

Jon

[MikePS]

I am using an eq5 synscan mount.
The image was not guided, hence the short exposures.
I am trying get guiding up and running using PhD and a finderscope with webcam.
I have only had one go at it due to the weather and that gave me egg shaped stars after two minutes.
I think that my balance was not perfect.
Once the weather clears I will have another go. So I will post an update sometime in the future.

[Mike]

If you are using a webcam also try MetaGuide if you can't get PHD to work.

[MikePS]

If you are using a webcam also try MetaGuide if you can't get PHD to work.

Thanks Mike, I will bear it in mind for the next session. (If the weather ever clears.)