Re: [APML] M42 by Beginner AP'er

[Matt BenDaniel <matt@starmatt.com>]

Kevin,

Very nice image.

Here's a suggestion. Take another shot of M42 with the same configuration/composition, but this time do a drift alignment first. Then keep the exposure going as long as you can (90 or 120 minutes). This will record the fainter nebulosity surrounding what you currently have. Obviously such an exposure will burn out the core, but you won't care, because you can use the core that you have. Follow Jerry Lodriguss' instructions for masking with layers (In Jan 2001 S&T) or www.astropix.com. 

You should do considerable anti-vignetting work on the deep image, because as you know, the f/6.3 reducer vignettes a lot.

To get an idea of how much nebulosity there is around what you have, see:
http://world.std.com/~mattb/gallery/astro/sword.html

Matt

At 03:37 PM 3/23/2002 -0500, Kevin Wigell wrote:
>I'm fairly new to AP (about a year) and I've been mostly lurking and
>learning on this list for about six months. I've been *slowly* improving the
>quality of my APs, given the limitations of time, weather, and money. I've
>placed an image of M42 I took about a week ago on my web site. I think this
>is my best image yet. I'd like to ask the more experienced members of this
>list for any comments or suggestions.
>
>A few comments of mine before you look at the image: I've struggled greatly
>with focus with my 10" SCT, and this is one of the first images I've
>obtained using my new Hutech KEF to focus. The focus looks pretty good to
>me, what do you think? Also, I am aware of some slight field rotation in the
>corners, apparently my polar alignment that night was less than perfect. I
>have just recently started using Photoshop, so I'm also interested in any
>comments on my processing.
>
>Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated.

--
Matt BenDaniel
matt@starmatt.com
http://starmatt.com


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