Orion Nebula is a relatively close object at 1500Ly away making it the closest star-forming nebula to us. It is a large object and can be seen with the naked eye, with its location in the constellation of Orion, situated on Orion's "sword " (see below) which will be in the form of three stars. the middle star is the trapezium of the nebula. A telescope will reveal more of the nebula and Astrophotography (AP) will bring out massive details which would not normally be seen.
This is one of the most popular targets in the night sky. The fact it is one of the closest targets to us makes it quite easy to photograph. Post-processing can be tricky due to the trapezium being overexposed but is easily fixed.
This is one of the most popular targets in the night sky. The fact it is one of the closest targets to us makes it quite easy to photograph. Post-processing can be tricky due to the trapezium being overexposed but is easily fixed.
The Picture below is a succession of 95 minutes of total exposure time at 60 seconds and 120-second exposures. Calibration frames were also used and can be seen below and on the 'about' page as well as a tutorial for helping to take them. it was then processed in Pixinsight after being stacked in DeepSkyStacker.
This object is very beginner-friendly, which leads to people just starting the hobby to go for this object. Its short exposure timing is adventurous for people without guiding or advanced setups taking 10secs right up to 5 mins with the correct filers.
The total exposure was taken on a single night in my Bortal 4 location during March of 2022. As with any target, depending on your camera and setup etc., the more exposure time the better.
Orion nebula is part of a larger group known as the Orion Molecular Complex (OMC) which includes M78, Horsehead Nebula and Barnard's loop. It also extends above Betelgeuse. Maddalena et al., (1986)
This object is very beginner-friendly, which leads to people just starting the hobby to go for this object. Its short exposure timing is adventurous for people without guiding or advanced setups taking 10secs right up to 5 mins with the correct filers.
The total exposure was taken on a single night in my Bortal 4 location during March of 2022. As with any target, depending on your camera and setup etc., the more exposure time the better.
Orion nebula is part of a larger group known as the Orion Molecular Complex (OMC) which includes M78, Horsehead Nebula and Barnard's loop. It also extends above Betelgeuse. Maddalena et al., (1986)
Setup for this was the following
Skywatcher EQ5 go to mount
Skywatcher 72ed Pro
ZWO Asi 522mc Pro
ZWO Asi 120mm mini guide camera
ZWO 30mm Guide scope
ZWO AsiAir Pro
Optolong L-Extreme 1.25 filter which was housed in a filter drawer 11mm from the sensor.
Calibration Frames
25 darks
60 Bias frames
60 flat frames
I used the Fox Halo 96k power bank was used to power all the above. Dew heaters were also used on the main and guide scopes which were powered separately by 10k power banks.
My setup can be seen on the about page.
Skywatcher EQ5 go to mount
Skywatcher 72ed Pro
ZWO Asi 522mc Pro
ZWO Asi 120mm mini guide camera
ZWO 30mm Guide scope
ZWO AsiAir Pro
Optolong L-Extreme 1.25 filter which was housed in a filter drawer 11mm from the sensor.
Calibration Frames
25 darks
60 Bias frames
60 flat frames
I used the Fox Halo 96k power bank was used to power all the above. Dew heaters were also used on the main and guide scopes which were powered separately by 10k power banks.
My setup can be seen on the about page.
My most recent attempt at the M42 was taken on the morning of 06/10/22 at my bortal 4 location.
my equipment
25 Darks
60 Flats
100~ Bias
my equipment
- Scope – Celestron RASA 8
- Mount - Skywatcher EQ6 R Pro
- Guide scope – ZWO 30mm
- Guide Camera – ZWO ASI 120mm mini
- Main Camera – ZWO Asi 533mc Pro
- Control box – ZWO ASIAIR Pro
- Filter – IDAS NBZ Nebula Booster 2”
- Starizona Filter drawer next to the camera sensor
- Fox Halo 96k power bank
- Dew heater with its own power bank on the guide scope
25 Darks
60 Flats
100~ Bias
A total of 2 hours of exposure at 120sec sub-exposure. This of course bloated out the core, but it brought out the more faint details surrounding the nebula. The Bloated core was fixed during processing using a addon in Pixinsight EZ processing suit. in these tools there is a process called HDR and this was used multiple times to bring down the core to a more suitable level.
Comparing this to my previous attempt (Above) shows massive improvements and changes in processing. with large amount of details being brought out in the surrounding area of M42.
The scope was centred on M43 (De Mairan's Nebula)
Comparing this to my previous attempt (Above) shows massive improvements and changes in processing. with large amount of details being brought out in the surrounding area of M42.
The scope was centred on M43 (De Mairan's Nebula)