Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Canes Venatici (CVn)  ·  Contains:  M 51  ·  NGC 5194  ·  NGC 5195  ·  Whirlpool galaxy
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020 M51 The Whirlpool Galaxy 2018, John Schnupp
020 M51 The Whirlpool Galaxy 2018
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020 M51 The Whirlpool Galaxy 2018

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
020 M51 The Whirlpool Galaxy 2018, John Schnupp
020 M51 The Whirlpool Galaxy 2018
Powered byPixInsight

020 M51 The Whirlpool Galaxy 2018

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Description

Decided to go galaxy hunting. First image with the SCT in some time. After imaging with my refractor, I forgot how challenging imaging at focal length 2032mm f/10 can be. Had several problems to overcome. I very nearly gave up and put the f/6.3 reducer on, but persistence paid off. It's not a perfect image and there are areas that need improving. There are some dust motes which need to be eliminated with flats, but I am not yet full set up with a light panel. There is also a light leak that needs to be tracked down, I suspect it is in the filter wheel housing or OAG. I was able to mitigate the imperfections but controlling the stretch and black point, along with cropping.

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020 M51 The Whirlpool Galaxy 2018, John Schnupp