After a long summer....

Well the long days and bright nights seemed to last forever this year, but I have finally been able to get my 'scope back online and have taken a couple of wee piccies! Finally!

I've also been able to do a little processing, after a good tutorial (http://flintstonestargazing.com/2009/06/26/my-quick-deepskystacker-tutorial/). The author explains everything nice and plainly, so I actually got some half decent results whereas before I was getting nothing!

So....

Here's M31, the Andromeda Galaxy. Just 5 subs at 2 mins each, ISO 800. Processed in Deep Sky Stacker.

M42, the Orion Nebula. 27 subs, 2 mins. ISO 1800. Processed in DSS.

I was originally unhappy with both of these, until I read a great tutorial (http://flintstonestargazing.com/2009/06/26/my-quick-deepskystacker-tutorial/) and had another attempt at the processing. I was eventually really pleased with the results! Not quite Hubble, I know, but certainly an improvement on my early attempts!

I'm pleased to have been able to get the accompanying Running Man nebula in the image of M42.It hadn't been discernible in the raw images, so I was delighted when it popped out whilst tinkering with the luminance!

And I'm surprised to have got as much detail for M31, for so few frames, but it's encoraging to see that it can be done with my kit!