M31/NGC 224 - The Andromeda Galaxy (1.27.2023)

Second session with my gear and still new to the hobby, had an AstroPhotography session on 1.27.2023 but it was a rough night, filled with hiccups pretty straight through. Guide Camera wouldn't work properly (which was apparently my fault for doing it so close to Polaris, since I was also going to shoot the Comet, as well), had several moments where I would get insane star trails which was again likely my fault for screwing around with the Guide Scope stuff. Super could, thought I was out of focus, etc etc etc. Still had fun regardless but counted the night out in terms of data.

When I first processed it in DSS and Photoshop(the same night), It was all I could do to try to stretch as much of that data as I could without clipping any of the details or black data. I called it a wash and filed it away. I finally got around to getting the free trial of PixInSight since I knew it was absolutely top tier from what I had seen and heard. I followed along with @Nico Carver 's guide on using it to process the Orion Nebula and to simply learn PixInSight. Many of the things he shows for that object, if not everything, transfers over very well to Andromeda as well. 3-4 hours later of following along to the video and a hiccup here and there, and I finally finished. The difference is night and day. I had no Idea all that data was just sitting there, unused. DSS and Photoshop are essential tools, no doubt. Especially if you’re on a budget or just starting out You can really get some great images with it. Take the Orion Nebula I did for example. All in DSS and Photoshop.

M42 - Feat. NGC 2024 & Barnard 33

But PixInSight gave me many more tools to really pull all of that data out of what was already there. I was absolutely floored. The first image with DSS and Photoshop was okay but I didn't post it here because I didn't think it was worth it. Very faint, could hardly see any details, even stacked and stretch, it looked like it wasn't. I wish I could post it here as an example. All that to say,