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Astrophotography by Eddie Guscott

M81 - Bode's Galaxy

<M81 is a magnificent spiral glaxy situated in the constellation of Ursa Major at a distance of about 12 million light years. M81 is apparently interacting with nearby galaxy M82, the pair interacted with each other some 30 million years or so ago. Traces of this interaction can still be seen in the spiral arms of M81. Note nearby dwarf galaxy Holmberg IX - a mag, 16.5 irregular galaxy (to the left of M81)

Click here or on image for a larger picture (approx 500Kb)

Date/Location:	May 2007 - Corringham, Essex
Equipment:	5" F6 TMB Rfractor
Camera/Exposure:	ST2000XM - LRGB 360/40/3440 (all 10 minute exposures at 1x1)
Notes:	I revisited M81 and applied much longer exposure times to achieve a smoother result. The background has been left a little lighter than is usual to show the faint structures in the image.

See a larger picture here (approx 760Kb)

Date/Location:	18 March 2004 - Spring Equinox Star Party, Kelling Heath, Norfolk
Equipment:	5" F6 TMB Rfractor on AP900 mount
Camera/Exposure:	ST2000XM - LRGB 60/30/30/30 (all 10 minute exposures at 1x1)
Processing:	Image redusction and RGB combine in Maxim, mild DDP in AstroArt, LRGB combine, levels & curves in Photoshop 7
Notes:	Winds were gusting to 20mph and I was surprised to see so little trailing. This was first light for my new ST2000XM ccd camera which seems to have worked

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