M81 and M82 Annual Image (Steve Argereow)

M81 and M82 Annual Image

M81/82 Bode & Cigar Galaxies

Note: The is my annual Image of M81/82. I do this each year keeping integration time between 4 and 5 hours, to see if I'm improving. I have my 2021 image in my gallery, take a
look to see if I got better!

M81, also known as Bode's galaxy, is a large bright spiral galaxy located 11.8 million light-years away in the constellation of Ursa Major. With an apparent magnitude of +6.9, it's easily visible with binoculars and is a superb target for all sizes of telescopes. This galaxy is a striking example of a grand design spiral and exhibits near perfect and well defined spiral arms.In the same binocular and low magnification telescope field of view as M81 is another prominent galaxy, M82. At mag. +8.4, M82 is fainter than M81 and a very different type of galaxy. It's a starburst galaxy, in which stars are been formed at exceptionally high rates. Also known as the Cigar galaxy, M82 is the prototype object and provides a striking contrast to the near perfect spiral shape of M81. Together, they form a popular visual and imaging target for amateur astronomers.Both M81 and M82 were discovered by Johann Elert Bode on December 31, 1774. Pierre Mechain independently rediscovered them in August 1779. He reported his observations to Charles Messier who added them both to his catalogue on February 9, 1781.
Information Credits: Home Free Star Charts

Telescope: Explore Scientific 127mm CF APO Refractor f/5.25 667mm

Mount IOptron CEM40

Camera ZWO2600MC Temp -10C Binning 1 x 1
ZWO EFW
64 X 240 Second Exposures W/Optolong L-Pro Gain 100 Offset 50
30 Dark Frames/ and Flats

Total Integration Time: 4 Hours 16 Minutes
Acquisition with SharpCap
Stacked with Deep Sky Stacker
Guiding PHD2
Processed with Astra Image

Photo taken from Seven Lakes, NC: Bortle 4.5

ZWO ASI 2600MC PRO
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Status	Advanced success
Started	...
Astrometry.net job	5667884
PixInsight job	HLLTQGJIVMNTC2I6EMJ2U0BQ1OPD2CM1
PixInsight queue size	n/a
PixInsight stage	TASK_LOG

RA (center)	09h55m43s.49
RA (top/left)	10h01m26s.19
RA (top/right)	09h59m39s.47
RA (bottom/right)	09h49m44s.24
RA (bottom/left)	09h52m01s.13

Dec (center)	+69°17′02″.5
Dec (top/left)	+68°46′07″.9
Dec (top/right)	+69°55′26″.8
Dec (bottom/right)	+69°47′12″.5
Dec (bottom/left)	+68°38′20″.0

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