M42 - The Orion Nebula

19:26 10/3/2006 UTC

This is merely a practise image during full moon and bad weather. It is also my first test image with the modified camera (man it's a lot more sensitive to H-alpha!). I only took 6 minutes worth of exposures due to cold weather and other things to do. One other test with this session was if I could guide my Skyview Pro loaded with my newton and a guidescope. My system was a little shaky due to bad balancing but guiding still worked quite well. The apparent star elognation is probably due to vibrations. I wish the weather would co-operate during next new moon so I really could push this setup with Ursa Major's galaxies!

Camera: Modified Canon EOS 350D | Telescope: Orion Optics Europa 200mm f6 Newtonian reflector | Mount: Orion Skyview Pro, Boxdoerfer PowerFlex MTS-3SLP drive controller | Guiding: , Orion ShortTube 80mm f5 refractor, QCGuider, Phillips ToUCam Pro II webcam | Exposure: 4 x 90s (6m) f6 ISO200, 3 darks, 8 flats | Software: IRIS, GIMP | Location: 60°31'N 26°52'E (Koivula/Kotka,FI)