Category Archives: Astrophotography

M81 Bode’s Galaxy and M82 Cigar Galaxy

Astrophotography

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Messier 81 (Bode’s Galaxy) and Messier 82 (the Cigar Galaxy) form a famous and contrasting pair of galaxies in the constellation Ursa Major, located about 12 million light-years from Earth. M81 is a classic grand-design spiral galaxy with a bright central core and well-defined spiral arms laced with dark dust lanes and regions of star formation. It appears smooth and orderly, making it one of the finest examples of a spiral galaxy visible to amateur telescopes.

Nearby M82 presents a dramatically different appearance. Classified as an irregular, starburst galaxy, it is seen edge-on as a narrow, elongated shape. Powerful gravitational interactions with M81 have triggered intense bursts of star formation in M82, driving enormous streams of gas and dust outward from its core. Together, M81 and M82 provide a vivid illustration of how galactic interactions can shape structure and activity, and they are a favorite target for observers and astrophotographers alike.

Technical Details

Telescope: Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED Refractor

Auto Focus: ZWO Electronic Auto Focuser

Astronomy Camera: ZWO ASI183MC Pro

Filter: Optolong UV-IR  cut filter; 900 exposures @ 60 seconds each (15 hours)

Total Integration Time: 15 hours

Auto Guiding Software: PHD2

Auto Guiding: William Optics Uniguide 50 Guide Scope

Auto Guiding Camera: ZWO ASI20MM Mini Guide Camera

Telescope Mount: Celestron CGX Equatorial Mount

Telescope Computer: BeeLink GK-55 Mini PC / Windows 10 Pro

Wireless Communication: GL-iNEt Beryl Travel Router

Telescope Control & Image Capture Software: Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy (N.I.N.A.)

Image Integration Software: Astro Pixel Process, by Aries Productions

Image Post Processing Software:  PixInsight, by Pleiades Astrophoto

Images captured in Palm Springs, CA during April 2024. Dark sky classification = Bright suburban sky (Bortle 6).

M81 Bode’s Galaxy

Astrophotography

CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW A HIGH RESOLUTION VERSION

Messier 81, commonly known as Bode’s Galaxy, is a striking grand-design spiral galaxy located about 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. One of the brightest galaxies visible from Earth, M81 can be seen with binoculars under dark skies as a soft oval glow, while telescopes reveal its bright, concentrated core and well-defined spiral arms. These arms show intricate dust lanes and regions of active star formation, giving the galaxy a classic spiral appearance. M81 is the dominant member of the M81 Group of galaxies and is gravitationally interacting with nearby companions, most notably Messier 82. These interactions have influenced its structure and star-forming activity, making Bode’s Galaxy a favorite target for both visual observers and astrophotographers.

Technical Details

Telescope: Celestron C8 SCT (8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain) with Celestron 0.63 Focal Reducer

Auto Focus: Celestron Electronic Auto Focuser

Astronomy Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro

Filter: Optolong UV-IR  cut filter; 1200 exposures @ 60 seconds each (20 hours)

Total Integration Time: 20 hours

Off-Axis Auto Guiding: ZWO OAG-L

Auto Guiding Camera: ZWO ASI174MM Mini Guide Camera

Auto Guiding Software: PHD2

Telescope Mount: Sky- Watcher EQ6-R Pro

Telescope Computer: BeeLink GK-55 Mini PC / Windows 10 Pro

Wireless Communication: GL-iNEt Beryl Travel Router

Telescope Control & Image Capture Software: Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy (N.I.N.A.)

Image Integration Software: Astro Pixel Process, by Aries Productions

Image Post Processing Software:  PixInsight, by Pleiades Astrophoto

Images captured in Palm Springs, CA during February 2023. Dark sky classification = Bright suburban sky (Bortle 6)

M74 Phantom Galaxy

Astrophotography

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M74, also known as the Phantom Galaxy, is a stunning face-on spiral galaxy located in the constellation Pisces. Situated roughly 32 million light-years from Earth, it spans about 95,000 light-years across, making it comparable in size to our own Milky Way. Its nickname, “Phantom Galaxy,” comes from its faint and diffuse appearance, which makes it challenging to observe through small telescopes, almost as if it were a ghostly presence in the night sky.

M74 features well-defined spiral arms rich in star-forming regions, glowing with clusters of young, hot stars and pinkish nebulae from hydrogen gas. Its structure and orientation make it a favorite target for astrophotographers, as the galaxy’s intricate spiral pattern can be captured beautifully under dark skies. M74 is also notable in astronomy as a type II-P supernova host, giving researchers insights into stellar evolution.

Despite its subtle appearance, M74 is an excellent example of a grand-design spiral galaxy, showcasing the elegance and complexity of galactic architecture in our universe.

Technical Details

Telescope: Celestron C8 SCT (8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain) with Celestron 0.63 focal reducer

Auto Focus: Celestron Electronic Auto Focuser

Astronomy Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro

Filter: Optolong UV-IR  cut filter; 600 exposures @ 60 seconds each (10 hours)

Total Integration Time: 10 hours

Off-Axis Auto Guiding: ZWO OAG-L

Auto Guiding Camera: ZWO ASI174MM Mini Guide Camera

Auto Guiding Software: PHD2

Telescope Mount: Sky- Watcher EQ6-R Pro

Telescope Computer: BeeLink GK-55 Mini PC / Windows 10 Pro

Wireless Communication: GL-iNEt Beryl Travel Router

Telescope Control & Image Capture Software: Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy (N.I.N.A.)

Image Integration Software: Astro Pixel Process, by Aries Productions

Image Post Processing Software:  PixInsight, by Pleiades Astrophoto

Images captured in Palm Springs, CA during September 2024. Dark sky classification = Bright suburban sky (Bortle 6)

 

 

M31 Andromeda Galaxy

Astrophotography

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The Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, or M31) is a vast spiral galaxy located about 2.5 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Andromeda. It is the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way and the largest member of the Local Group, spanning roughly 220,000 light-years across. To the naked eye under dark skies, M31 appears as a faint, elongated glow, making it the most distant object humans can see without optical aid. Through binoculars or a telescope, its bright central core, sweeping spiral arms, and prominent dust lanes become more apparent. Andromeda is on a slow collision course with the Milky Way, and the two galaxies are expected to merge in about four to five billion years, forming a massive elliptical galaxy.

Technical Details

Telescope: Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED Refractor

Auto Focus: ZWO Electronic Auto Focuser

Astronomy Camera: ZWO ASI071MC Pro

Filter: Optolong UV-IR  cut filter; 900 exposures @ 60 seconds each (15 hours) — Palm Springs, CA

Filter: Optolong UV-IR  cut filter; 400 exposures @ 120 seconds each (13.3 hours) — Near Bridgeport, CA

Total Integration Time: 28.3 hours

Auto Guiding: William Optics Uniguide 50mm Guide Scope

Auto Guiding Camera: ZWO ASI120MM Mini Guide Camera

Auto Guiding Software: PHD2

Telescope Mount: Sky- Watcher EQ6-R Pro

Telescope Computer: BeeLink GK-55 Mini PC / Windows 10 Pro

Wireless Communication: GL-iNEt Beryl Travel Router

Telescope Control & Image Capture Software: Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy (N.I.N.A.)

Image Integration Software: Astro Pixel Process, by Aries Productions

Image Post Processing Software:  PixInsight, by Pleiades Astrophoto

Images captured:

Palm Springs, CA during September 2022. Dark sky classification = Bright suburban sky (Bortle 6)

Near Bridgeport, CA September 2022. Dark sky classification = Rural (Bortle 3)

M101 Pinwheel Galaxy

Astrophotography

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The M101 Pinwheel Galaxy is a magnificent face-on spiral galaxy located about 21 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. Known for its enormous size—nearly twice the diameter of the Milky Way—M101 displays a classic “pinwheel” structure with long, gracefully sweeping spiral arms radiating from a relatively small, bright core.

These spiral arms are rich in star-forming regions, glowing pink from vast clouds of ionized hydrogen and dotted with brilliant blue clusters of young, hot stars. Dark lanes of cosmic dust thread through the arms, adding depth and contrast to the galaxy’s intricate design. The uneven appearance of the arms is thought to be the result of gravitational interactions with several nearby companion galaxies.

For astronomers and astrophotographers, M101 is a showcase of spiral galaxy evolution and active star birth. While its light is spread over a large area—making it somewhat challenging to observe visually—long-exposure images reveal one of the most detailed and beautiful spiral patterns in the night sky, earning M101 its evocative name, the Pinwheel Galaxy.

Technical Details

Telescope: Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED Refractor

Auto Focus: ZWO Electronic Auto Focuser

Astronomy Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro

Filter: Optolong UV-IR  cut filter; 360 exposures @ 60 seconds each (6 hours)

Filter: Optolong Lenhance dual-band, narrow-band filter ; 96 exposures @ 5 minutes each (8 hours)

Total Integration Time: 14 hours

Auto Guiding Software: PHD2

Auto Guiding: William Optics Uniguide 50 Guide Scope

Auto Guiding Camera: ZWO ASI20MM Mini Guide Camera

Telescope Mount: Celestron CGX Equatorial Mount

Telescope Computer: BeeLink GK-55 Mini PC / Windows 10 Pro

Wireless Communication: GL-iNEt Beryl Travel Router

Telescope Control & Image Capture Software: Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy (N.I.N.A.)

Image Integration Software: Astro Pixel Process, by Aries Productions

Image Post Processing Software:  PixInsight, by Pleiades Astrophoto

Images captured in Palm Springs, CA during May 2024. Dark sky classification = Bright suburban sky (Bortle 6).