and now for something completely the same...

Yes, another M51, the summer sky's version of M42

12" SCT; ST-8; 100 x 30 secs + 30 x 60secs. Images taken over a two nights.



M51 is located in Ursa Major near the last star in the "tail" of the great bear. We see this galaxy as it was 37 million years ago - that's how long it takes the light to get to us.
Charles Messier is credited with the discovery of this galaxy on the 13th of October 1773 and described it as a "very faint nebula, without stars". Lord Rosse of course is later credited with detecting the spiral structure in the spring of 1845.
M51 is the dominating member of a small group of galaxies in this general area, of which M63 is also a member. The smaller galaxy hanging onto the spiral arm of M51 is NGC 5195, which was discovered by Messier's friend Pierre Méchain on the 21st of March 1781. The other two galaxies in the image from top left to middle left are IC4277 and IC4278 respectively, both in the mag15 range.

Clear Skies,

Michael,

:shock: Excellant image mate. I'd actually given up on DSOs but maybe I was a bit hasty. You could probaly go with a less darker background to bring out some of the fainter detail but other than that applause all round.

You could probaly go with a less darker background to bring out some of the fainter detail but other than that applause all round.

I know what you mean kieran. I've kinda decided to keep the background of my images a few notches bright so that they are easier to see on a wider range of monitors. But yes, it would be more contrasty if I reduced the levels down a fraction and darkened the background.
Cheers,

Magnificent Michael. The detail is fantastic. A1 shot!! The only tiny CC I would suggest is that the FOV could be a tad bigger to include all the faint outer material at the top of the image.

Wonderful, textbook stuff.

Fantastic energy captured in this image, wonderful depth, a truly masterful memorable image. In awe :shock: :shock: :shock:

Deirdre Kelleghan
Irish Astronomical Society

Michael,

Meant to ask whens your birthday and I hope you have the colour filters and wheel on the list. Or one filter for fathers day one for birthday one for wedding aniversary and the wheel for Christmas and the all IFAS get a prezzie of your first LRGB. Can't wait to see the results.