My Best Orion Nebula Capture So Far

I'm thrilled to share my latest capture of the magnificent Orion Nebula, which I believe is my best one yet! This iconic deep-sky object is a favorite among astrophotographers, and I've been working to refine my techniques to do it justice.

The Equipment

Achieving this result involved a combination of capable equipment:

• Telescope: 130mm f5 refractor
• Camera: Modified Canon T2i
• Filter: ZWO dual-band filter (used in half of the exposures)
• Mount: Celestron Logic Drive Motor for tracking

The Data and Processing

I captured 108 lights with an exposure time of 4 to 5 seconds each at ISO 800. To reduce noise and improve signal, I also took 41 dark frames.

The data was then stacked and processed using industry-standard software:

• Stacking & Initial Processing: Siril, utilizing StarNet for star removal.
• Final Retouching: Adobe Lightroom for color correction and detail enhancement.

The Result

Here's the image that I'm so proud of:

The nebula's intricate structures, resembling a cosmic flower, are beautifully rendered. I'm particularly pleased with the detail in the core and the surrounding dust lanes. It's a testament to the power of persistent practice and careful processing.

I hope you enjoy this view of the Orion Nebula as much as I enjoyed capturing it!