Stacked Orion Nebula

Second try at stacking, I didnt use any darks, this is just 10 (i think) photos. I'm getting the hang of DSS now, need to get some darks next time.

BTW, this is the only deep space object I can see from my house. I used a 70-200 f4.

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Are you using a tracking mount, or short exposures? It looks like the focus is a bit soft, but it could be motion if you're not tracking. You're starting to get some detail though, and some colors are coming through...

Short exposures, I'm going to keep practicing while the nights are clear

Keep working on focus Tom. Focus is the most critical part of any astrophotography. No good even having good tracking, if your focus is off.

I wrote a tutorial here on it.

I hope that helps mate.

Baz.

Thanks Baz I'll check it out, I've been on your site a lot the last couple days

Tonights attempt. I originally took 30 images. I had 10 dark, 5 flat, 5 dark flat, 1 offest and kept getting the error message that only 1 image would be stacked. So I changed my star threshold back and forth, still got the message. Then I started unchecking darks, flats, lights, offset until a combo worked. It was like pulling teeth!!!

So the image below is 15light, 1 dark, 1 dark flat, no offset and no flat....sigh....

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Certainly an improvement on focus that's for sure. You now need longer exposures and accurate tracking and you are on your way!