Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: MikePS on Oct 21, 2012, 11:38:08

Title: M42 from February
Post by: MikePS on Oct 21, 2012, 11:38:08
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

(http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k580/MikeSE19/M42250212SLR-1.jpg)
Title: Re: M42 from February
Post by: mickw on Oct 21, 2012, 12:07:58
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.
Title: Re: M42 from February
Post by: JonH on Oct 21, 2012, 22:17:10
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
Title: Re: M42 from February
Post by: MikePS on Oct 21, 2012, 22:32:11
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.
Title: Re: M42 from February
Post by: Mike on Oct 21, 2012, 23:21:26
If you are using a webcam also try MetaGuide if you can't get PHD to work.

Title: Re: M42 from February
Post by: MikePS on Oct 22, 2012, 09:14:07
Quote from: Mike on Oct 21, 2012, 23:21:26
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.)