First Digital Image (M42) With Digital Rebel

Hi all! It has been cloudy here in Missouri for over a month and it finally cleared up a little tonight, so I was able to take my first digital astrophotograph using my Canon Digital Rebel. I have previously taken a handful of manual SLR images with limited success.

This image was acquired using DSLRFocus and an Orion Skyview Pro 8" Newt. The image consists of eight 1-minute exposures at ISO 400. No dark frames and no guiding (other than the clock drive). Images were converted (RAW to TIF), stacked and combined in Imagesplus. Also used the digital development auto option in IP. I know my focus is a bit off but I was freezing and I was probably overly anxious to get any type of image. I have built a webcam autoguider with a KITSRUS interface, just haven't had a chance to use it.

Please let me know your comments...I appreciate any feedback, and I welcome you to play with the image to see what else you can bring out in it. My processing skills are very green, so I would appreciate any advice. Thanks for looking, and clear/dark skies to all!

Mike Roark
St. Charles, Missouri

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Michael,

I think that's great, especially considering there was no guiding.

I'm very curious to see one of the 1-minute exposures you took - could you email me that? (I want to see what difference stacking made).

Thank you,
Russ Swaney

Very nice shot Michael, lots of info in it!
The processing done by Bobby shows how much you can get if processed properly... well done Bobby!

Thank you for sharing Michael! and keep it up!

Mike,

Great first image. I did a little processing (color adjustment, unsharp mask and crop). Here is the result.

Also, try a few more (about 20 or so) shorter exposures and use translate and rotate function in ImagesPlus to stack your images. Also try background adjustment after digital development with unsharpmasking (medium).

Keep trying. You will be amazed at how quickly your images will improve.

Lee

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