Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Ursa Major (UMa)  ·  Contains:  Bode's Galaxy  ·  M 81  ·  NGC 3031
M81 Bode's galaxy, Tom Gray
M81 Bode's galaxy
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M81 Bode's galaxy

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Description

I think Johann Bode might recognise this one...albeit I'm sure he didn't see this level of detail in 1774. This is a new stacked image of 12 x 5min exposures, autoguided (RMS 0.91") and processed in Startools. Overall, I am much more pleased with this, although the focus was slightly off, and it would undoubtedly be better with more subs. In my enthusiasm I wanted to also image M82 and both in H alpha as well. Four images of 1 hour each took me most of the night! I have applied a standard workflow with a little healing to tighten the stars.

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Revisions

  • M81 Bode's galaxy, Tom Gray
    Original
  • Final
    M81 Bode's galaxy, Tom Gray
    B
  • M81 Bode's galaxy, Tom Gray
    C
  • M81 Bode's galaxy, Tom Gray
    D

B

Description: At last, I have discovered where I am going wrong with Startools, telling it the wrong type of dataset! My fault entirely, not thinking through or applying logic to my choices. Anyway, I have 'natural' colour, so to quote 'all's well that ends well'.

OK, I may have overdone it, and the slightly green cast making me a little nauseous, but colour nonetheless. I'm looking forward to adding 'true' colour revisions to many of my images in the gallery.

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C

Description: My last iteration, taken through Optolong L-eNhance narrow band filter to optimise the H-alpha regions that dot the outer arms of this giant Galaxy. I have purposely over saturated the colour constancy in Startools to emphasise these H-alpha knots.

Uploaded: ...

D

Description: I have pushed HDR, deconvolution and sharpening to the limit in this version, and whilst not particularly aesthetic, it does bring out a 'well' of detail towards the core. The colour feels a bit more natural too.

Uploaded: ...

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M81 Bode's galaxy, Tom Gray