Messier Object 42, nestled right next to the Horsehead nebula, almost impossible to capture one and not the other. Over the last two nights I started testing my new Explore Scientific ED80 FCD100 and I wanted something bright to test it on. This scope exceeded my expectations and I can’t tell you how exciting it is to have a finished project with it. Razor sharp stars at f3.9 using the APEX-S .65x reducer. Zero Chromatic Aberrations. The focuser is SOLID and the telescope is extremely lightweight.
Additionally, this is the first project I’ve completed using NINA rather than Sequence Generator Pro. Dithering Sync is an absolute must when running two telescopes/cameras on the same mount and unfortunately SGP does not have this feature. Watching the dither sync happen in NINA was so cool and it brought back those vibes I felt back when just starting the hobby.

This image comes in at 13 hours of exposure time, captured from my Bortle 6 backyard.

First Rig:
Explore Scientific ED80 FCD100 - 312mm f3.9
ASI294MM 2x2bin
APEX-S .65x reducer
Optolong 2” RGB filters
2.2hrs per filter

Second Rig:
Orion ED80 Doublet - 390mm F4.8
ASI2600mm
Astronomik 2” Ha 12nm filter
APEX-L .65x Reducer
6.5hrs integration

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An attempt at breaking down my processing for this image:
Pre-Processing in WBPP
Normalize Scale Gradient for each stack
Star Align on Ha data
Save stacks as XISF
Image Integration - Combine RGB and HA masters to create master Lum - No rejection
DBE (subtraction) on linear stacks
RGB combination
NRGBCombination (to combine Ha to RGB)
Performed 3 separate stretches (1 low core stretch, 1 med core stretch, 1 final stretch)
Processed trapezium as it's own image. Used high pass filters in PS to enhance core details, adjusted saturation, and tried to keep highlights low - Set aside
LRGB combination - Add master Lum to RGB
combined all stretches in Photoshop using masks/layers for HDR
Starnet v2
Curves Adjustments and Saturation
Adjust black levels
More curves adjustments and mask all the things
Topaz Denoise - Add as layer at 50% opacity
High Pass filter - Mask - Layer (Soft Light)
Drizzle each RGB stack to use drizzled stars
Create star masks using starnetv2 and starXterminator
combine star masks in PS (this helped with some artifacts)
Add star mask to starless image set layer type to screen
Adjust brightness and contrast
Add trapezium as layer, mask and feather
Final color tweaks, curves, and star adjustments
Export as JPG