M31 The Andromeda Galaxy Close Up

Hi all

Here is a little project I've been working on over the last week. As most of you know doing this type of deep sky imaging is kind of new to me but I'm really enjoying the experience. So here is my attempt at M31 The Andromeda Galaxy. I've left the image at high resolution because I just prefare the close up view.

The Image was taken between 27th & 29th of August 2009 with a William Optics FLT-110 Triple APO refractor Atik 4000 cdd camera. Guided with a Celestron 80ED And Sac 4.2 ccd camera with phd guiding software On a CGE mount LRGB = 240,120,120,120 Darks was 60 x 5 min Flats was 35.000 ADU Processed in ImagesPlus V3.5 and Photoshop CS3 & maxImum DL.

Please click on image to enlarge.

www.webtreatz.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-49

Carl O'Beirnes,
Balbriggan Observatory (MPC#J09)

absolutely excellent Carl..... a brilliant capture... well done

One of the best shots of M31 I have ever seen. Well done mate !
I am looking forward to having a go at this object when the weather permits with the Megrez 72 and 450D mounted on the CGE.

Aw! you lucky boys with you're CGE's Beautiful detail in there Carl, it's easy to see that you have made quite an effort. I can also see some neblosity showing up in the arms.

Keith.

Carl - its a lovely image but I can't understand why some of the stars seem to be perfectly round but others seem a bit eggy.

For example, compare the top left corner with the bottom left corner. The top left corner shows probably the worst egg stars but they're not too bad in the bottom left corner. The right hand side of the image doesn't look too bad at all.

So, what would give you a poor left side and a good right side?

I'm certainly not an optics expert but one thing that did cross my mind was the perpendicularity (is that a word?) of the chip to the focal plane. Could it be slightly twisted? If so, its either the mounting of the chip inside the imager housing or the error could be in the connection between the imager and the OTA.

I'd be surprised if it were something as refined as the WO triplet...

Anyhow, sorry for blabbing on. That's an image I'd be very proud of. Its just that I *know* there's a Rob Gendler in there dying to get out

Thanks very much for the comments everyone.

Dave,

I see what you mean all right. When I first started imaging I had a big problem with the field flatner. I had to get an extension made up form telescope service so I could reach the right distance from chip to field flatner, witch is 130mm although I've gone beyond that a thad by 1or2mm. I have to check it with calipers to get it exact. I did use a measuring tape but with my eyesight it was hard to get an accurate measurement it should be a simple fix.The reason I didn't fix it was because I took my flat frames the same night and didn't want to disturb the camera after that.

Carl