M42 LRGB

[chartram]

Hello,

Couldn't pass up the opportunity to take yet another stab at M42. I shot it in 2015 with this scope and the old SBIG OSC, then again with the Star 71 ASI1600MM with ZWO filters. Wanted to see the difference the Baader filters made. All in all, very happy with the outcome considering this shot was taken through a relatively inexpensive doublet.

M42, The Great Orion Nebula in LRGB
Imaged February 3, 2021 from my back yard in Kathleen, GA, an Orange Zone

20x2s, 20x10s, 20x30s, 20x60s, 20x90s and 50x180s Luminance (for dynamic range)
25x180s RGB (2x2 bin)
5hrs, 26mins, 30s total exposure

Scope: Orion ED80 (F/7.5) w/Hotech FF
Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro @-20C, Gain 75
Filters: Baader 1.25" LRGB
Resolution: 1.31"/px
Mount: Skywatcher NEQ6 Pro
Capture: SGP
Processing: PixInsight



Processing was minimal, I left the core slightly bright to preserve the glow while still showing the Trapezium stars. Too much HDR made it look muted and cartoony, at least to my eyes. I know preferences in this area vary greatly.

Any comments/critiques greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking!

Mike

[messier 111]

superb capture and Processing , thx .

[BABOafrica]

That's a pretty one! And you spared no effort to get good dynamic range. The fine detail in the outter regions of the nebula is superb.

BABO

[Gordon]

Congratulations Mike on having your image selected as todays TSS APOD!!!

app.php/article/2-5-2021-tss-astrophoto ... of-the-day

[MariusD69]

Awesome! Great job, Mike! Congrats for APOD!

[Makuser]

Hi Mike. A beautiful job with your M42 image. Lots of excellent splashy color and details in this capture. Thanks for sharing this Mike, and congratulations on winning the TSS APOD Award today.

[jrkirkham]

Congratulations on the APOD.

[AstroBee]

Congratulations on the TSS APOD Mike. This is a beautiful rendition of old faithful.

[TheButcher]

Excellent Image and Well done! Congrats on the APOD!

[bobharmony]

Very nice, Mike. You have done a great job of balancing the desire to bring out detail and keeping things looking natural,

Bob

[Gmetric]

That’s a lovely shot, Mike. Congrats on the apod

[Astrovetteman]

Hey Mike, that's an awesome image that's well worth an APOD!! Really nicely processed...you got a lot of the outer gas in that one. I'm so jealous of you guys who are having clear skies!
Congrats!!!
Tom

[STEVE333]

Nice one Mike. You did an excellent job of bringing out the extended dust clouds all around this nebula.

Steve

[XCalRocketMan]

Very nice - congrats on the APOD.

[Ruud]

Lovely and fresh, Mike, it's a big success!

[chartram]

Thank you all very much for the kind words, and thank you Gordon & your team for the APOD. Y’all are amazing folks!

Mike

[jthommes]

Fabulous image Mike. Congrats on the APOD.