The last time I visited M101 was
back in 2016, the first target I'd acquired with my old QSI-683. I decided to turn back to this target with my 6120, gather a lot more lum, and throw some updated processing techniques at it (and more skill too). I used the chrominance data from 2016 with the new lum data and I'm pleased with the result given the typical garbage seeing we get here in MA. I'd like to add some Ha if the weather ever clears. This was also my first try at using Russell Croman's deconvolution AI. Cheese and crackers, that's some mind blowing software! Well done Russell and keep 'em coming! It's amazing to consider that deconvolution and star removal can now be done with such ease. I have painful memories of slogging through these manually - ugh!
M101
The Pinwheel Galaxy is a face-on spiral galaxy in the constellation of Ursa Major, 21 million light years from Earth. At 170,000 light years in diameter, this galaxy is 70% larger than our Milky Way. The dense spiral arms and blue color are the result of gravitational interaction with other galaxies which caused contraction of dust and gasses spurring formation of young, hot blue stars. Recent evidence tracking intermediate velocity hydrogen gas pulled from M101 strengthens the case for past interaction with the nearby dwarf galaxy NGC 5474 (just right of this captured field). This interaction likely caused the distortion in the outer spiral arms of this magnificent galaxy.
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