First deep-sky image from Astronomy Magazine Observatory

The Orion Nebula (M42) imaged by Gene Turner with the 14-inch SCT at Astronomy Magazine Observatory, a Hyperstar correcting lens system, and a Canon XTI DSLR camera. It‘s a composite of five 15-second exposures at f/2. On Wednesday night, March 17, Gene Turner of Rancho Hidalgo shot the first deep-sky images using Astronomy Magazine Observatory. Previously, the telescopes had been used to shoot planetary images. On Wednesday Gene concentrated on short-exposure tests of the Orion Nebula (M42), and Omega Centauri (NGC 5139). The first image of M42, published here, is a simple, raw, unguided shot — yet it’s pretty nice overall and shows the incredible nature of the dark sky at Hidalgo. It‘s a composite of five 15-second exposures!Enjoy the opening salvo in what will be a stream of many more images to come, and let us know if you have favorite deep-sky objects you would like the editors to image and share with you in the future.