Canon DSLR and Skywatcher Combination Delivers Orion Imaging "Out of the Box"!

This is far from the greatest ever astro-imaging example, but I am really pleased…  

I wrote about my newly acquired Canon Digital SLR Camera here…  Attaching the Canon to the Skywatcher refractor.  

Well last night, I pointed it at the constellation of Orion and was astonished to get this image of M42/M43 the Orion nebula..

I’ve been told the focus is a bit “off”, but I’m still delighted with it.  Literally, I pointed the telescope at the nebula, took a few exposures, between 10 seconds and 30 seconds and chose this as the best.  It’s 25 seconds.

You can see the trapezium (theta 1 Orionis), although it’s “blobbed-out”.  This is the star cluster which lights-up the nebula.  Just before this imaging session, I used a 5mm eyepiece  for 120 times magnification (600 focal length divided by 5) and I could see the characteristic trapezium pattern with sparkling clarity.

You can also see the “Fish mouth” dark dust area.

I will do better next time, but this is a really good start!

PS..  Did I mention, I am pleased with it?  !!