M42 - The Great Nebula in Orion

Image Title: M42 - The Great Nebula in Orion

Copyright: Six Astro

Date image was taken: December 23, 2025

Location: Perros-Guirec, Breizh, FR

Data Acquisition Method: Personal Telescope Setup

Description and Details: Here is my last astrophoto of 2025 : the Great Orion Nebula (M42). This is also my first shot of this target with the RedCat 91, and my first in over 2 years. This winter sky wonder always gives me a few challenges.

Located about 1,350 light years from Earth it is the closest massive star forming region to us. It spans roughly 25 light years across, is visible to the naked eye (as a fuzzy patch in Orion's Sword), and at its heart lies the Trapezium Cluster : four hot young stars that light it up. It's a true stellar nursery with hundreds of forming stars.

I can't image it from my backyard like most of my targets because it's too low in the south. So I have to set up all the gear on my terrace, which is much less stable than solid ground. I also had to wait for the complete shutdown of the city's public lighting at 1 AM to shoot filterless on such a low target and of course, wait for moonless nights !

Still, I managed to gather about 8 hours of integration over 3 nights, from December 17 to 23 :

- WO RedCat 91 WIFD
- ASI 2600MC-Duo
- ZWO AM5
- 150*180s no filter
- 50*30s no filter (core and stars)
- Processing : Siril, PixInsight, Photoshop

Hi-res version is available on Astrobin : https://app.astrobin.com/i/qzw3i2

Name: Vincent NEGRIER

Website or Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/six.astrophoto