Messier 42/43 (M 42/43) - Orion/De Mairan's Nebula

Introduction | Map | Sketch | Pseudo Photo (Stellarium) | My Best Own Photos | My Own Observations | References || Appendix: My Own Photos

On this page I collect my observations of the galactic emission nebula M 42 (NGC 1976), called Orion Nebula, and its part M 43 (NGC 1982), called De Mairan's Nebula, in the Orion constellation.

Introduction

The Orion Nebula M 42 together with its "annex" M 43 (De Mairan's Nebula) is probably the largest galactic emission nebula in the northern sky. It is found in Orion's sword, that is, in the constellation Orion, and at least the sword is usually visible to the naked eye. M 43 was formerly considered as a separate nebula, but today it is regarded as part of M 42 (which is again debated...). In winter, M 43 (De Mairan's Nebula) is located slightly above M 42.

It is said that the Orion Nebula can be seen with the naked eye. This definitely depends on the viewing conditions, but the sword can be seen shimmering in any case when it is dark enough. It is difficult to tell for me what exactly is the nebula in all this shimmering... Using binoculars, one can already see the nebula well and within it two bright stars. One of them is the Trapezium, an arrangement of 4 closely spaced stars at the center of the nebula. I was, however, able to resolve the Trapezium only at higher magnifications in the telescope.

In simple terms, the Orion Nebula has approximately the same size as the Moon or Sun (25 'x 30'). How extended it actually appears depends, on the one hand, on the viewing conditions and, on the other hand, on the dark adaptation of one's own eyes.

In the vicinity of M 42/43 there are the star clusters NGC 1980 (Lost Jewel of Orion) and NGC 1981 (Coal Car Cluster) as well as the dark nebula NGC 1977 (Running Man Nebula):

Map

M 42 and M 43 in Orion's sword (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Sketch

The sketch by Michael Vlasov (DeepSkyWatch.com) provides a rough impression of what I observed in February 2017 (my impression was much fainter than the sketch):

Sketch of the Orion Nebula by Michael Vlasov (Copyright © Michael Vlasov 2016) - presented with the author's permission

Pseudo Photo (Stellarium)

Pseudo photo of M 42 taken from Stellarium (large version, larger version)		For comparison: M 42/43 with Sony RX10 M4, 4 photos stacked in Affinity Photo (average), processed

My Best Own Photos

Atik Infinity & Explorer 150PDS (February 21, 2018)

Ditto, once again created from the unprocessed original in one step		Ditto, processed to be brighter
Ditto, created from "replay stack" in one step		Ditto, same as left, more saturated
M 42/43, created from "replay stack" in one step, denoised (PAI)		Ditto, same as left, more saturated, denoised (PAI)

900 x 675 section with 1:1 pixels in the large version

M 42 (Orion), unprocessed		Ditto, processed and sharpened		Ditto, processed alternatively and sharpened

600 x 600 section with 1:1 pixels in the large version

Atik Infinity & TLAPO1027 (March 23/24, 2021)

M 42/43 - March 23, 2021, processed		M 42/43 - March 23, 2021, processed		M 42/43 - March 23, 2021, processed
M 42/43 - March 24, 2021, processed		M 42/43 - March 24, 2021, processed		M 42/43 - March 24, 2021, processed

ZWO ASI224 (PS 72/432)

M 42/43 - Apr 8, 2021, 21 frames, 10 s, gain 134, processed

Sony RX10 M4

M 42/43 - Feb 12, 2021, ISO 1600, processed, section		M 42/43 - Feb 12, 2021, 4 photos stacked in Affinity Photo (average), processed, section

eVscope

M 42/43 (Orion Nebula)

M 42 - Mar 18, 2020		M 42 - Nov 17, 2020		M 42 - Nov 17, 2020
M 42 - Mar 18, 2020, photo on top processed		M 42 - Nov 17, 2020, photo on top processed		M 42 - Nov 17, 2020, photo on top processed

M 43 (De Mairan's Nebula)

M 43 - Mar 18, 2020		M 43 - Mar 18, 2020, processed

eVscope 2

M 42 - Jan 18, 2023 (third sample)		M 42 - Jan 18, 2023, photo left processed

Vespera

M 42/43, Jan 18, 2023 - original (65 frames = 640s)		M 42/43, Jan 18, 2023 - large (65 frames = 640s), processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1977, NGC 1980, and NGC 1981 (at the top), Jan 18, 2023 - large (241 frames = 2410s), mosaic, section		M 42/43 with NGC 1977, NGC 1980, and NGC 1981 (at the top), Jan 18, 2023 - large (241 frames = 2410s), mosaic, section, processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1981 on top, Feb 20, 2023 - large, 2840s, mosaic, Dual Band Filter, photo left processed (PSE)		M 42/43 with NGC 1981 on top, Feb 20, 2023 - large, 2840s, mosaic, Dual Band Filter, photo left processed (DN)
M 42/43, Jan 26, 2024 - original (120 frames = 1200s), CLS Filter		M 42/43, Jan 26, 2024 - large (120 frames = 1200s), CLS Filter, processed

Vespera Pro

M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Dec 26, 2024 - 2000 (121 frames = 20 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Dec 26, 2024 - 2000 (121 Frames = 20 min), processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Feb 1, 2025 - 2000 (130 frames = 22 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Feb 1, 2025 - 2000 (130 frames = 22 min), processed
		M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Feb 1, 2025 - 2000 (130 frames = 22 min), processed and denoised (PAI)
M 42/43 with NGC 1977 aund NGC 1980, Feb 18, 2025 - 2000 (123 frames = 20 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Feb 18, 2025 - 2000 (123 frames = 20 min), processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 25, 2026 - mosaic, 1500 (600 frames = 100 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 25, 2026 - mosaic, 1500 (600 frames = 100 min), processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 25, 2026 - mosaic, 1500 (600 frames = 100 min), more saturated		M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 25, 2026 - mosaic, 1500 (600 frames = 100 min), denoised
M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 26, 2026 - mosaic, 2000 (448 frames = 75 min), DB filter		M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 26, 2026 - mosaic, 2000 (448 frames = 75 min), DB filter, processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 26, 2026 - mosaic, 2000 (448 frames = 75 min), DB filter, processed, denoised		M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 26, 2026 - mosaic, 2000 (448 frames = 75 min), DB filter, processed from TIFF, denoised
M 42/43 with NGC 1977, Mar 02, 2026 - 2000 (361 frames = 60 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1977, Mar 02, 2026 - 2000 (361 frames = 60 min), denoised

Dwarf mini

M 42/43, Jan 19, 2026 - 34.5 min, DB filter, section, processed with Stellar Studio and further processed, large		M 42/43, Feb 7, 2026 - 50 min, mosaic, processed with Stellar Studio, original
M 42/43, Feb 25, 2026 - 25 min, mosaic, processed with Stellar Studio, original		M 42/43, Feb 26, 2026 - 50 min, mosaic, processed with Stellar Studio, DB filter, original

My Own Observations

Observations Winter 2015/16

• Observed M 42/43 in winter 2015/16 with binoculars and small telescopes; not very clear to see...

Observations February to Mid-March 2017

• February 13, 2017 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Heritage 100P, LT): M 42/43 observed with 100P and binoculars
• February 14, 2017 (ditto: GSO GSD 680, LT): M 42/43 observed, nicer in the GSD 680 than in the small 100P...
• February 15, 2017: (ditto: Heritage 100P on GoTo mount, LT): M 42/43 observed, used the check whether the mount is still correctly aligned...
• February 18, 2017 (ditto: GSO GSD 680): M 42/43 observed, and it appeared as detailed and beautiful with this telescope as I had never seen it before.
• February 26, 2017: (ditto: Heritage P130 on GoTo mount): M 42/43 observed, with this telescope also very nice (new moon).
• March 2, 2017: (ditto): M 42/43 observed
• March 16, 2017: (ditto): M 42/43 observed

When I used the GoTo control for the first time, I started my observations with M 42 and afterwards returned to it from time to time to check whether the GoTo control was still correctly adjusted.

Observations End of March 2017

• March 27, 2017 (Erkerode: Heritage 100P): Beautiful as not often found, particularly at higher magnifications
• March 28-30, 2017 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Heritage 100P and GSD 680 on the first day only, Heritage P130 all three days): Observed, but nothing recorded...

Observations November 2017

• November 4, 2017 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TS): M 42/43 seen with binoculars; relatively faint because of nearly full moon (about midnight to 1 a.m.), two bright spots in the nebula (a star and probably the Trapezium)

Observations December 2017 - April 2018

• December 12, 2017 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TS): M 42/43 seen with binoculars
• January 10, 2010 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TS): M 42/43 seen with binoculars
• January 14, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Skymax-102, Skymax-127, TS): M 42/43 observed well with binoculars. M 42/3 also seen well in both Maksutovs, particularly the Trapezium; in both telescopes nearly identical, but in the 127 I was able to see the "wings" a little bit better...
• February 5, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Skymax-102, Skymax-127, TS): M 42/43 observed well with binoculars. M 42/3 also seen well in both Maksutovs, particularly the Trapezium; in both telescopes nearly identical, but in the 127 I was able to see the "wings" a little bit better...
• February 12, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Explorer 150PDS on GoTo mount, Atik Infinity, StarSense): M 42/43 photographed for the first time
• February 13, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TS): M 42/43 seen well in binoculars
• February 21, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Explorer 150PDS on GoTo mount, Atik Infinity, StarSense): M 42/43 photographed once more
• March 14, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TS, Explorer 150PDS on GoTo mount, Atik Infinity, StarSense): M 42/43 seen in binoculars, not really found with Explorer, no photo...
• March 18-19, 2018 (Kellinghusen and Erkerode, TS binoculars): M 42/43 observed with binoculars - super!, extended (dark sky)
• March 24, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TS binoculars, Explorer 150PDS on GoTo mount, StarSense): M 42/43 relatively small and faint, the Half Moon was too bright
• April 6, 2018 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TS binoculars, Explorer 150PDS on GoTo mount, Atik Infinity, StarSense): M 42/43 relatively small and faint, Orion was probably already too low

Observations February 2019

• February 25, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Heritage 100P): Trapezium very good, nebula of M 42/43 not so good to see...
• February 26, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto Mount, Heritage 100P, TS binoculars): Orion Nebula M 42/43 very nice, including the nebula (PS 72/432, 100P; 16 mm, 7 mm, 4 mm); a round glow in the TS binoculars.
• February 27, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto Mount, TS binoculars): Orion Nebula M 42/43 very nice, including the nebula (24 mm ... 7 mm).

Observations October 2019

• October 12, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: StarTravel 120/600 and PS 72/432 on AZ Pronto Mount, TS and LT binoculars): Compared the telescopes and 32/35 mm eyepieces at M 42/43
  • 60 x (10 mm at ST120, 7 mm at PS72, 1,25" eyepieces ): After the telescopes had dried in the morning, the nebula was visible, but not as good as sometimes already seen. Especially, Astrid found the nebula in the ST120 much better - the larger aperture paid off. After the drying, the trapezium could also be seen well in both telescopes, including the 4th weaker star.
    In the ST120 the upper and lower star in the sword just fit in at the edges (there were probably more than one); in the PS72 I did not check that...
  • Nearly 20 x (32 mm and 35 mm at ST120, 2" eyepieces): I was not able to find any differences between the two eyepieces. However, the trapezium, which was now tiny, was slightly better visible in the 32 mm eyepiece (like a star with "ears"...); this was probably due to the slightly higher magnification of 18.75 x versus 17. 14x.
    According to my previous experiences, the visible differences between the eyepieces that I find during the day disappear at night.
• November 27, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C8 on GoTo mount): M 42/42 seen very well (Trapezium, "Wings"), as well as probably never before, as long as there were no clouds (56 mm, 35 mm, 28 mm).
• November 30, 2019 (Erkerode: C8 on GoTo mount, manually): M 42/43 war anfangs sehr schön, wurde dann aber immer schwächer.
• December 4, 2019 (Erkerode: C8 on GoTo mount, manually): M 42/43 seen well with different eyepieces (56, 38, 35, 32, 28, 18 mm) despite the half moon, at the end, it got better and better (the sky behind Orion was relatively dark then, the setting moon did not disturb much anymore). Beautiful "wings" and the trapezium also seen well. M 42/43 seen well with a focal length of 28 mm at minimum, 18 mm already enlarged too much.
  At the end (the moon had almost set) I tried out three borrowed filters: I did not find any effect for the Light Pollution and the O III filter, but the UHC filter (actually just a contrast filter for fighting light pollution...) exposed the Orion Nebula even better (especially Astrid found this; but maybe her eyes were not completely dark-adapted before...) - and astroshop.de also mentions this for the UHC filter...
• December 19, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C8 on AZ4 mount): M 42/43 seen beautifully with 40 mm, wings and Trapezium; no success when using my UHC filter, reflections and everything was darker...

Observations End of December 2019 to April 2020

• December 28, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C8 on AZ4 mount, Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount): Observed M 42/43 with C8/AZ4 (40 mm) and SM127/Pronto (24 mm); altogether M 42/43 looked more beautiful in the C8; I saw the nebula better in the C8 and especially, according to Astrid, the Trapezium (while she found the nebula almost better in the SM127, I found it the other way round...).
• December 30, 2019 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C8 on Star Discovery mount (manually), Explorer 150PDS on AZ4 mount): M 42/43 was nice and showed clear "wings" and a good Trapezium in the 150PDS, but was even brighter and more contrasty in the C8; the Trapezium was also better there.
• January 5, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Explorer 150PDS on AZ4 mount): M 42/43 looked initially not that good (the moon was more than half), later it was quite well to see, including the "wings" and the Trapez ium (later even visible in the 40 mm eyepiece!).
• January 16, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C8 on Star Discovery mount (SynScan WLAN, iPhone), PS72 on AZ Pronto mount): M 42/43 in the C8 with 40/35 mm very nice; in the PS72 with 24, 10 mm also very nice, large FOV with 24 mm, but wings fainter than in the C8. Also very nice with C8R and 24 mm; pin cushion distortions not noticeable (pronounced in daylight)
• January 18, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau:C8 on AZ4 mount): M 42/43 seen nice for several times; with UHC filter even more "nebula" - especially according to Astrid.
• January 20, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau:C8 on Star Discovery mount (manual)): M 42/43 (16, 24, 40 mm) nice; later very bright and nice
• January 24, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau:C8 on Star Discovery mount (manual)): M 42/43 - Trapezium and wings visible, but no match to the days before (C8)
• January 28, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau:eVscope): M 42/43 photographed
• February 5-6, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 42/43 photographed
• February 15-16, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 42/43 photographed
• March 13 and 18, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 42/43 photographed; M 43 photographed (Mar 18) for Messier Marathon
• March 15, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C8 on Star Discovery mount): M 42/43 photographed with Atik Infinity at the C8 with f/6.3 reducer/corrector alone and together with TS 0.5 x reducer
• April 4-5, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount): M 42/43 observed and photographed (with Sony RX100 M4)
• April 6, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ Pronto mount): M 42/43 observed and photographed (with Sony RX100 M4)

Observations November 2020

• November 17, 2020 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 42/43 photographed in the new rectangular format without overlay

Observations January to April 2021

• January 10, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C5 on AZ Pronto, Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto and Star Discovery, TLAPO1027 on Star Discovery): M 42/43 with Trapezium and "wings" good to see in all three tubes.
• January 14, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): M 42/43 photographed (r.f., n.o.), photos discarded.
• February 11, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: RX10 M4 on AZ Pronto): M 42/43 photographed (1 s), partly stacked in Affinity Photo
• February 12, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: RX10 M4 on AZ-GTi): M 42/43 photographed (1 s, 5s, 10s, 30s), partly stacked in Affinity Photo
• February 13, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C5 on AZ-GTi, Atik Infinity): M 42/43 photographed, better than with the eVscope, but not as good as with the Explorer 150PDS.
• February 16, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): : M 42/43 photographed (r.f., n.o.), mediocre image quality because of clouds, exposed up to 8 minutes, exposure controlled manually.
• February 17, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope): : M 42/43 photographed (r.f., n.o.).
• March 19, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ-GTi, Atik Infinity): M 42/43 photographed.
• March 23, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TLAPO1027 on Star Discovery, Atik Infinity): M 42/43 photographed.
• March 24, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TLAPO1027 on Star Discovery, Atik Infinity): M 42/43 photographed.
• March 25, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ-GTi, Atik Infinity): M 42/43 photographed.
• April 3, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ-GTi-EQ, Atik Infinity): M 42/43 photographed (15, 30, and 60 seconds); stars bloated
• April 4, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: C5 on AZ-GTi-EQ, Atik Infinity): M 42/43 photographed (15 seconds); stars a little bloated
• April 8, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ-GTi, ASI224): M 42/43 photographed (10 seconds); stars a little bloated

Observations December 2021 to April 2022

• December 21, 2021 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope, eVscope2): M 42/43 photographed (app version 1.5), for comparison between eVscope and eVscope 2
• January 24, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope, eVscope2): M 42/43 and M 43 photographed (app version 1.5), for comparison between eVscope and eVscope 2
• February 5, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 42/43 photographed (app version 1.5)
• February 5, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: PS72 on AZ-GTi, ASI224, StellarMate ): M 42/43 photographed
• March 19, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 42/43 photographed (app version 1.5)
• March 20, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 42/43 photographed (app version 1.5)
• April 10, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 42/43 photographed (app version 1.5), poor...
• April 17, 2022 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 42/43 photographed (app version 1.5), a little better...

Observations January to February 2023

• January 18, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 42/43 photographed (app version 2.2), 280 s
• January 18, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 42/43 photographed and as a mosaic (once together with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980)
• February 4, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 42/43 photographed (app version 2.3), 348 s, nearly full moon
• February 12, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: eVscope2): M 42/43 photographed (app version 2.3), 376 s
• February 20, 2023 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 42/43 photographed, Dual Band Filter, 690 s (with NGC 1981, 1977, and 1980)

Observations January to March 2024

• January 9, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 42/43 photographed
• January 26, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 42/43 photographed, CLS Filter
• March 3, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera): M 42/43 photographed
• April 10, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Skymax-127 on AZ Pronto mount, LT/TS Binocular): M 42/43 observed

Observations November/December 2024

• November 29, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TLAPO804): M 42/43 observed
• December 26, 2024 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 42/43 photographed (with NGC 1977, NGC 1980)

Observations January to March 2025

• January 18, 2025 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TLAPO804): M 42/43 observed
• February 1, 2025 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 42/43 photographed (with NGC 1977, NGC 1980) (20 min) - with and without Masterdark
• February 18, 2025 (Erkerode: Vespera Pro): M 42/43 photographed (with NGC 1977, NGC 1980) (20 min), light intrusion on the right
• March 2, 2025: (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 42/43 photographed under different conditions for testing purposes, no images here
• March 16, 2025 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: TLAPO804): M 42/43 observed together with NGC 1980 and NGC 1981

Observations January to March 2026

• January 5, 2026 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 42/43 photographed together with NGC 1977 (5 and 30 min), DB filter; aborted because of (assumed) fuzzyness and clouds
• January 15, 2026 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Dwarf mini): M 42/43 photographed (45 min), DB filter; aborted because of clouds, poor image quality
• January 19, 2026 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Dwarf mini): M 42/43 photographed (34.5 min); aborted because of clouds
• February 7, 2026 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Dwarf mini): M 42/43 photographed (50 min) as a mosaic together with NGC 1980, NGC 1981, and NGC 1977
• February 25, 2026 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 42/43 photographed (100 min) as a mosaic together with NGC 1980, NGC 1981, and NGC 1977
• February 25, 2026 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Dwarf mini): M 42/43 photographed (25 min) as a mosaic together with NGC 1980, NGC 1981, and NGC 1977
• February 26, 2026 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 42/43 photographed (75 min) as a mosaic with DB filter together with NGC 1980, NGC 1981, and NGC 1977
• February 26, 2026 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Dwarf mini): M 42/43 photographed (50 min) as a mosaic with DuoBand filter together with NGC 1980, NGC 1981, and NGC 1977
• March 2, 2026 (Mühlhausen/Kraichgau: Vespera Pro): M 42/43 photographed (60 min) together with NGC 1977

References

• Messier Catalogue - Messier 42: messier.seds.org/m/m042.html
• Orion Nebula (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_Nebula
• Messier 42 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_42
• Messier 43 (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_43

Websites

• Drawings of Messier Deep Sky Objects (Michael Vlasov, DeepSkyWatch.com): www.deepskywatch.com/messier-dso-sketches.html
• Drawings of NGC, IC and Other Objects (Michael Vlasov, DeepSkyWatch.com): www.deepskywatch.com/ngc-ic-dso-sketches.html

On this Site

• Sky-Watcher Heritage P130 Information (5" Dobson)
• Sky-Watcher Heritage 100P Information (4" Dobson)
• GSO GSD 680 Information (8" Dobson)
• Sky-Watcher Explorer 150PDS Information (6" Newton)
• Sky-Watcher Skymax-102 OTA Information (4" Maksutov-Cassegrain)
• Sky-Watcher Skymax-127 OTA Information (5" Maksutov-Cassegrain)
• Omegon Photography Scope 72/432 ED OTA Information (2.8" Refractor)
• Sky-Watcher StarTravel 120/600 OTA Information (4.7" Refractor, Borrowed)
• Celestron C8 OTA Information (8" Schmidt-Cassegrain)
• Celestron C5 OTA Information (5" Schmidt-Cassegrain)
• TS-Optics Photoline 102/715 Information (4" Refractor)
• TS Optics Photoline 80/480 Information (3.2" Refractor) (TLAPO804)
• Unistellar eVscope Information
• Unistellar eVscope 2 Information
• Vaonis Vespera Information
• Vaonis Vespera Pro - Information
• DwarfLab Dwarf mini - Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ Pronto Mount Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ4 Mount Information
• Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi AZ GoTo Mount Information
• Wedge for Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi AZ GoTo Mount Information
• Sky-Watcher Star Discovery AZ GoTo Mount Information
• Celestron StarSense AutoAlign for Sky-Watcher Information
• Atik Infinity Colour Camera - Information
• ZWO ASI224 Color Camera - Information
• My Binoculars

Appendix: My Own Photos

Atik Infinity & Explorer 150PDS (February 12, 2018)

M 42 (Orion), post-processed and sharpened		Ditto,brighter in second step		Ditto, b&w version

Further later post-processing attemps:

Ditto, once again created from the unprocessed original in one step		Ditto, processed to be brighter
Ditto, created from "replay stack" in one step		Ditto, same as left, more saturated
M 42/43, created from "replay stack" in one step, denoised (PAI)		Ditto, same as left, more saturated, denoised (PAI)

900 x 675 section with 1:1 pixels in the large version

Atik Infinity & Explorer 150PDS

M 42 (Orion) - Feb 21, 2018, unprocessed		Ditto, processed and sharpened		Ditto, processed alternatively and sharpened

600 x 600 section with 1:1 pixels in the large version

Atik Infinity & C8

M 42/43 - March 15, 2020, f/6.3 reducer/corrector, processed		M 42/43 - March 15, 2020, f/6.3 reducer/corrector and 0.5x TS focal reducer, processed		M 42/43 - March 15, 2020, f/6.3 reducer/corrector and 0.5x TS focal reducer, processed

Atik Infinity & C5

M 42/43 - Feb 13, 2021, f/6.3 reducer/corrector		M 42/43 - Feb 13, 2021, f/6.3 reducer/corrector, processed

Atik Infinity & PS 72/432

M 42/43 - Mar 19, 2021		M 42/43 - Mar 19, 2021
M 42/43 - Mar 19, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42/43 - Mar 19, 2021, photo on top processed

Atik Infinity & TLAPO1027

M 42/43 - March 23, 2021		M 42/43 - March 23, 2021		M 42/43 - March 23, 2021
M 42/43 - March 23, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42/43 - March 23, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42/43 - March 23, 2021, photo on top processed
M 42/43 - March 24, 2021		M 42/43 - March 24, 2021		M 42/43 - March 24, 2021
M 42/43 - March 24, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42/43 - March 24, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42/43 - March 24, 2021, photo on top processed
				M 42/43 - March 24, 2021, photo on top processed (Polarr)

Atik Infinity & PS 72/432

M 42/43 - Mar 25, 2021		M 42/43 - Mar 25, 2021		M 42/43 - Mar 25, 2021
M 42/43 - Mar 25, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42/43 - Mar 25, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42/43 - Mar 25, 2021, photo on top processed

Atik Infinity & PS 72/432

M 42/43 - Apr 3, 2021 (30 s?)		M 42/43 - Apr 3, 2021 (60 s)		M 42/43 - Apr 3, 2021 (15 s)
M 42/43 - Apr 3, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42/43 - Apr 3, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42/43 - Apr 3, 2021, photo on top processed

Atik Infinity & C5

M 42/43 - Apr 4, 2021 (15 s)		M 42/43 - Apr 4, 2021 (15 s)		M 42/43 - Apr 4, 2021 (15 s)
M 42/43 - Apr 4, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42/43 - Apr 4, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42/43 - Apr 4, 2021, photo on top processed

ZWO ASI224

M 42/43 - Apr 8, 2021, 21 frames, 10 s, gain 134, processed		M 42/43 - Apr 8, 2021, 16 frames, 10 s, gain 134, processed

Sony RX10 M4

See page DSO Photos with Sony RX10 M4 - February 2021 for more photos

M 42/43 - Feb 12,2021, ISO 1600, processed, section		M 42/43 - Feb 12, 2021, 4 photos stacked in Affinity Photo (average), processed, section

eVscope

M 42/43 (Orion Nebula)

M 42/43 - Jan 28, 2020, processed		M 42/43 - Jan 28, 2020, processed		M 42/43 - Feb 5, 2020
M 42/43 - Feb 5, 2020, processed		M 42/43 - Feb 6, 2020		M 42/43 - Feb 6, 2020, processed
M 42/43 - Feb 15, 2020, processed		M 42/43 - Feb 15, 2020, processed
M 42/43 - Feb 16, 2020		M 42/43 - Feb 16, 2020, left photo processed
M 42/43 - Mar 13, 2020, processed		M 42 - Mar 18, 2020		M 42 - Mar 18, 2020, photo left processed
M 42 - Nov 17, 2020		M 42 - Nov 17, 2020		M 42 - Feb 16, 2021
M 42 - Nov 17, 2020, photo on top processed		M 42 - Nov 17, 2020, photo on top processed		M 42 - Feb 16, 2021, photo on top processed
M 42 - Feb 17, 2021		M 42 - Dec 21, 2021		M 42 - Jan 24, 2022
M 42 - Feb 17, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42 - Dec 21, 2021, photo on top processed		M 42 - Jan 24, 2022, photo on top processed

M 43 (De Mairan's Nebula)

M 43 - Mar 18, 2020		M 43 - Mar 18, 2020, photo left processed
M 43 - Jan 24, 2022		M 43 - Jan 24, 2022, photo left processed

eVscope 2

M 42/43

M 42 - Dec 21, 2021		M 42 - Jan 24, 2022		M 42 - Jan 24, 2022, with overlay, 5 min
M 42 - Dec 21, 2021, photo left processed		M 42 - Jan 24, 2022, photo on top processed		M 42 - Jan 24, 2022, with overlay, photo on top processed , 5 min
M 42 - Feb 5, 2022		M 42 - Mar 19, 2022		M 42 - Mar 19, 2022
M 42 - Feb 5, 2022, photo on top processed		M 42 - Mar 19, 2022, photo on top processed		M 42 - Mar 19, 2022, photo on top processed
M 42 - Mar 20, 2022		M 42 - Apr 10, 2022		M 42 - Apr 17, 2022
M 42 - Mar 20, 2022, photo on top processed		M 42 - Apr 10, 2022, photo on top processed		M 42 - Apr 17, 2022, photo on top processed
M 42 - Jan 18, 2023 (third sample), 280 s		M 42 - Feb 4, 2023 (third sample), 348 s		M 42 - Feb 12, 2023 (third sample), 376 s
M 42 - Jan 18, 2023, photo on top processed		M 42 - Feb 4, 2023, photo on top processed		M 42 - Feb 4, 2023 (third sample), 348 s

M 43 (De Mairan's Nebula)

M 43 - Jan 24, 2022		M 43 - Jan 24, 2022, photo left processed
M 43 - Jan 24, 2022, with overlay, 3 min		M 43 - Jan 24, 2022, with overlay, photo left processed , 3 min

Vespera

M 42/43, Jan 18, 2023 - original (65 frames = 640s)		M 42/43, Jan 18, 2023 - large (65 frames = 640s), processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1980, Jan 18, 2023 - original (41 frames = 400s), mosaic		M 42/43 with NGC 1980, Jan 18, 2023 - large (41 frames = 400s), mosaic, processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Jan 18, 2023 - large (241 frames = 2410s), mosaic, section		M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Jan 18, 2023 - large (241 frames = 2410s), mosaic, section, processed
M 42/43, Feb 20, 2023 - original, 690s, mosaic, Dual Band Filter, section		M 42/43, Feb 20, 2023 - large, photo left processed, section
M 42/43 with NGC 1981 on top, Feb 20, 2023 - original, 2840s, mosaic, Dual Band Filter		M 42/43 with NGC 1981 on top, Feb 20, 2023 - large, 2840s, mosaic, Dual Band Filter, photo left processed (DN)
M 42/43 Jan 9, 2024 - original (60 frames = 600s)		M 42/43, Jan 9, 2024 - large (60 frames = 600s), processed
M 42/43, Jan 26, 2024 - original (120 frames = 1200s), CLS Filter		M 42/43, Jan 26, 2024 - large (120 frames = 1200s), CLS Filter, processed
M 42/43, Mar 3, 2024 - original (123 frames = 1230s)		M 42/43, Mar 3, 2024 - large (123 frames = 1230s), processed

Vespera Pro

M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Dec 26, 2024 - 2000 (121 frames = 20 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Dec 26, 2024 - 2000 (121 frames = 20 min), processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Feb 1, 2025 - 2000 (130 frames = 22 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Feb 1, 2025 - 2000 (130 frames = 22 min), processed
		M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Feb 1, 2025 - 2000 (130 frames = 22 min), processed and denoised (PAI)
M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Feb 18, 2025 - 2000 (123 frames = 20 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1977 and NGC 1980, Feb 18, 2025 - 2000 (123 frames = 20 min), processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1977, Jan 5, 2026 - 2000 (30 frames = 5 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1977, Jan 5, 2026 - 2000 (30 Frames = 5 min)
M 42/43 with NGC 1977, Jan 5, 2026 - 2000 (184 Frames = 30:40 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1977, Jan 5, 2026 - 2000 (184 Frames = 30:40 min)
M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 25, 2026 - mosaic, 1500 (600 frames = 100 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 25, 2026 - mosaic, 1500 (600 frames = 100 min), processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 25, 2026 - mosaic, 1500 (600 frames = 100 min), more saturated		M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 25, 2026 - mosaic, 1500 (600 frames = 100 min), denoised
M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 26, 2026 - mosaic, 2000 (448 frames = 75 min), DB filter		M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 26, 2026 - mosaic, 2000 (448 frames = 75 min), DB filter, processed
M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 26, 2026 - mosaic, 2000 (448 frames = 75 min), DB filter, processed, denoised		M 42/43 with NGC 1981, NGC 1977, and NGC 1980, Feb 26, 2026 - mosaic, 2000 (448 frames = 75 min), DB filter, processed from TIFF, denoised
M 42/43 with NGC 1977, Mar 02, 2026 - 2000 (361 frames = 60 min)		M 42/43 with NGC 1977, Mar 02, 2026 - 2000 (361 frames = 60 min), denoised

Dwarf mini

M 42/43, Jan 15, 2026 - 45 min, DB filter, unprocessed, original		M 42/43, Jan 19, 2026 - 34.5 min, DB filter, unprocessed, original
M 42/43, Jan 15, 2026 - 45 min, DB filter, section, processed with Stellar Studio and further processed		M 42/43, Jan 19, 2026 - 34.5 min, DB filter, section, processed with Stellar Studio and further processed, large
M 42/43, Feb 7, 2026 - 50 min, mosaic, processed with Stellar Studio, post-processed, original
M 42/43, Feb 25, 2026 - 25 min, mosaic, processed with Stellar Studio, original		M 42/43, Feb 26, 2026 - 50 min, mosaic, processed with Stellar Studio, DB filter, original