The Orion Nebula M42/43
Emission and reflection nebulosities in Orion

 

            
Select an image size for a larger view:

800 x 600

1290 x 960

1600 x 1200



            
 There is
            probably no more difficult object in the sky to properly photograph
            than the Orion Nebula. It is so bright in the core, making it
            impossible to capture the outer gossamer beauty and inner core
            trapezium star cluster in a single frame. This image is a composite
            merged from half a dozen images ranging in exposure from 2 seconds
            to 20 minutes. Keeping the colors uniform over such a huge dynamic
            range is challenging, which is why I had never attempted this
            object seriously. Here is a stab at this object, and while not
            perfect shows the most I can capture with my 12 inch and DSLR.

            
About M42

            
About a degree
            in size, this 4th magnitude nebula is the brightest of its type
            in the entire sky. It is a huge hydrogen cloud that has been
            ionised by the high UV from the tiny central star cluster.

Instrument:  12.5" f/5 Home built Newtonian 
Platform:  Astrophysics AP1200 
Camera:  Hutech Modified Canon XTi @ ISO1600
Exposure:  30m
Filters:  Hutech type 1 pass
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing  8/10, Transparency 9/10
Outside Temperature:  40F
Processing Tools:  Photoshop CS2, Maxim DSLR
HOME   GALAXIES     EMISSION NEBS     REFLECTION NEBS   COMETS  
   GLOBULARS     OPEN CLUST     PLANETARIES     LINKS