The last clear night was on the 28th December, and while waiting for some other targets to rise higher, I thought I'd try and capture some more horsehead/flame data and try adding it to the data from the previous session on the 14th December.

I took 9 exposures @ 300s each (ISO800), to add to the previous 55 minutes of data. The exposures were calibrated with flats, however not darks as I used ICNR with the lights.

All frames aligned, rotated and added in ImagesPlus. Processing included DDP in ImagesPlus, followed by Photoshop for noise reduction, levels, curves, saturation etc.

All taken with the unmodded 350D on the ED80 with WO 0.8x II reducer/flattener. Guided using a 80mm f/5 refractor, DMK21AU04 and PHD guiding.

Compared to the previous attempt, I'm happy with how this one has turned out. It's a small improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. You can see that the extra data has allowed some extra stretching and some fainter nebulosity to be captured, as well as giving more depth in the star colours.

For an unmodded camera, I'm pleased with the result and that'll do me for the horsehead for this Orion season. It could still use more data to remove the blotchiness from the very faint nebulosity, but other targets are on the rise and it's time to move on

Next capture/processing challenge is to get off ICNR and go back to taking darks.. so much time is wasted on ICNR but the results are definitely better than what I achieve with separate darks.

Thanks for looking.

Attached Images

20071228-newhorse-800px-low.jpg (95.3 KB, 74 views)

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Mike
. mikesalway.com.au - Astronomy and Photography by Mike Salway
. IceInSpace - The Australian Amateur Astronomy Community
. My Bio | My Jupiter 2007 Gallery | My Image Gallery

Mike,

Very nice update to your previous image of these nebulae. I do like how the nebulae look ghostly and darkish. Not a typical presentation.

--Andy

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Observatorio de la Ballona

Bravo! Mike.

thanks for sharing

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clear skies

If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. CARL SAGAN

Mak: Pass the pepperoni please.
Fazor: "Hail, Bautainia! We pledge our hearts to thee! Science and woo, some babbling too, and astron-oh-meee!"
slang: And it made ash out of yew and tree.

hi Mike,

very well done Mr. Planet!
you managed to work out the color distinction perfectly!
also detail are nice!
Mike, if you added some more hours, that image would stand out a one ofthe best DSLR of that region! still, it needs a bit more data for becoming real deep!
go for it!

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best regards,
Dietmar
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www.stargazer-observatory.com

Mike it's simply beautiful and a super fine shot with a unmoded 350 wow. There are always room for improvement and surely you are on the right track. looking to see moe on your next session. clear skies

Thanks guys.

Dietz, you are too kind! I've got a long way to go with DSO imaging, but i'm enjoying the journey and look forward to pushing my budget equipment to the limit!

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Mike
. mikesalway.com.au - Astronomy and Photography by Mike Salway
. IceInSpace - The Australian Amateur Astronomy Community
. My Bio | My Jupiter 2007 Gallery | My Image Gallery

Mike,
Great wide field image of this region!

Thanks for sharing,
Kent

Hi Mike!

Your work is awesome!

I really love this Astrophotography Section.

Thank you for sharing .

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Jean
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"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." - Albert Einstein

"The good life is inspired by love and guided by knowledge " - Bertrand Russell

Fantastic. I am seriously contemplating relegating my DSI II to guiding and moving to a DSLR. It is a wonderful shot as it stands. Congratulations.

Kind regards
Matt