Astrophotography by Tomi Virtanen, galaxies, M51

Galaxies, M51

galaxies index
main index

Updates:

4.2.2009 - Reprocessed image of 30.1.2009
31.1.2009 - Added image from 30.1.2009
19.9.2004 - created this page

Image list:

30.1.2009
22.4.2004

Images:

30.1.2009

Target: M51, galaxy Date: 30.1.2009

Time: 00:01 .. 01:41 [UTC]

Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Conditions: T -1°C, RH 94%.

Telescope: N150 f5 (GSO) Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro in EQASCOM control

Camera: Art-429 (beta). Mode 1x1.
TEC set to -10K delta-T. Filters: "AL" LRGB set.
Interference type, with UV-blocking on Luminance.

Exposure: L:R:G:B 14:17:16:19min, 1min sub-exposures.
Guided with 70/500mm achromatic refractor, modified webcam (SC3) and PHD Guiding to EQASCOM (pulseguide)

Processing: Dark frames and flatfields (of poor quality). Unsharp masking on the galaxy. Lots of levels and color balance adjustments.

Images:

Notes: Update 4.2.2009:
Reprocessed the image from start to achieve flatter background and better colors. Flat frames were not used in earlier version and there was also an error in combining filtered exposures into color image. The new version is shown. Old version is stored here for reference.

22.4.2004

Target: M51, galaxy Date: 22.4.2004

Time: -

Location: Vantaa, Finland

Conditions: -

Telescope: N150 f5 (GSO) Mount: GEM w RA stepper motor (Sky-View)

Camera: SC2 webcam (PCVC840K).
Raw color mode Filters: Baader #2459207 UV/IR-cut

Exposure: 15 x 60s (out of 60), dark frame. Unguided.

Processing: Stacked in Registax. Adjusted in Photoshop.

Images:
full resolution image displayed

Notes: Lots of rejected frames due to bad polar alignment and poor tracking. Bad focusing.
My second attempt on a DSO.

email: tomi.virtanen@yahoo.de

Target:	M51, galaxy	Date:	30.1.2009
		Time:	00:01 .. 01:41 [UTC]
		Location:	Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Conditions:	T -1°C, RH 94%.
Telescope:	N150 f5 (GSO)	Mount:	Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro in EQASCOM control
Camera:	Art-429 (beta). Mode 1x1. TEC set to -10K delta-T.	Filters:	"AL" LRGB set. Interference type, with UV-blocking on Luminance.
Exposure:	L:R:G:B 14:17:16:19min, 1min sub-exposures. Guided with 70/500mm achromatic refractor, modified webcam (SC3) and PHD Guiding to EQASCOM (pulseguide)
Processing:	Dark frames and flatfields (of poor quality). Unsharp masking on the galaxy. Lots of levels and color balance adjustments.
Images:
Notes:	Update 4.2.2009: Reprocessed the image from start to achieve flatter background and better colors. Flat frames were not used in earlier version and there was also an error in combining filtered exposures into color image. The new version is shown. Old version is stored here for reference.