Imaging Camera: Canon Rebel XTi
Filter: IDAS LPS-2
Exposures: 20x30sec, 20x60sec, 20x120sec, ISO800, saved as RAW
Darks: 5x30sec, 5x60sec, 5x120sec, ISO800, saved as RAW
Flats: 16x0.25sec, saved as RAW
Guiding Telescope: Meade DSX-90, DSI Pro II, PHD
Imaging Telescope: Meade LXD75 SN6
Imaging Software: EOS Utility, DSLR Shutter
Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop

It’s always a pleasure to come back to M42/43 every year. This is where I started imaging my first night out with my trusty ol’ DSI and it’s become something of an annual test to see if I can do any better. The new feature this year is applying flats which really help to reduce the gradients and layering the different exposures to preserve the core. I could have probably pushed the processing quite a bit harder with this data set, but I really like how it shows a lot of detail, but still looks very natural. I just love the contrast between the blue reflection veil descending down the left side of the nebula in front of the red emission region.

-John