M31 - The Andromeda Galaxy
(Updated 19-October-2008)
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is one of the nearest galaxies in our local
neighbourhood, and is visible to the naked eye from a dark site. Being so
near, it also has a very large apparent size: the width of 6 full moons. The
bright blue patch near the top left is designated NGC 206, and is a very
large open cluster within M31. It has two satellite galaxies, M32 near the
top left, and M110 near the bottom left.
The HII regions have been emphasized by layering an H-alpha exposure into
the red and luminance channels.
This image was updated on Oct 10, 2008, adding in an additional 3 hours and
45 minutes worth of luminance, which was then blended into the original 60
minutes worth of lumnance captured in 2006. For comparison, see the
previous image.
I was able to tease out a lot more detail & contrast in the galaxy center
with the added luminance.
Takahashi Sky 90 at f/4.5
SBIG STL-4020M (self-guided)
Takahashi EM-200
Hutech LPS Filter
Luminance: 4h45m minutes (5 minute subs)
RGB: 30 minutes each channel (5 minute subs)
H-Alpha: 90 minutes (15 minute subs)
Processed in Maxim/DL, CCDStack, and Photoshop
Noel Carboni's Astronomy Tools Actions
Publications:
This image was published in the March-April issue of
Northwest Magazine, accompanying the article "Orientation to a Lost Universe".