Nikon D90, 105mm
The nebula in Orion's sword.
Clouds willing, I'll try it tonight with a bigger lens.
Update:
Funny thing about stars and big lenses... there's this thing called the '500 rule', which is a rough rule of thumb that says the maximum exposure length you'll be able to get without showing star 'trails' is 500/focal_length (on a 35mm camera). So, that 105mm lens is good for about 5". But my big ol 300mm is only good for about 1.5". And that's not enough time to get much light so the nebula just comes out like a little fuzzy star. On the other hand, a little 50mm is good for 10 seconds (much more if it's a fast 50mm). But 50mm isn't going to get much detail in small objects.
Hmmm... more research needed.
Probably my favorite night-sky target. My naked eyes aren’t good enough to see M42, but the first time I saw it in binoculars I was in love. And now I’ve been pointing my Christmas present at it — it has such texture, it feels like you could touch it.
ooh. that looks nice.
ever since we moved out to the woods, Mrs has been telling me i can get a telescope. but i haven’t been able to figure them out enough to make a decision.