Andromeda Galaxy

[crimbfighter]

Here's an image of the Andromeda Galaxy I captured two nights ago from the back yard. The Andromeda Galaxy is our closest galactic neighbor, and if it were completely visible to the naked eye, would appear several times larger than the Moon in the sky! The image also captures two smaller galaxies, one just above and one just below and to the right of the galactic core.

Nikon D800
Nikon 70-200mm lens at f/3.5, 200mm
90 second sub exposures at ISO 400, stacked together for 1hr 25min total exposure time
iOptron Skyguider Pro tracking mount
processed in PS and LR

 

[Space Face]

Wonderful and no horizon to consider

 

[K9Kirk]

Very nice shot! I wonder if one of those dots is a mother ship.

 

[crimbfighter]

Wonderful and no horizon to consider

Haha, very true!

 

[crimbfighter]

Very nice shot! I wonder if one of those dots is a mother ship.

Thanks! I have no doubt, and given the way this year has gone, I'm betting they arrive soon...

 

[Jeff G]

Awesome shot! Always gives you a lot to think about when you see shots like this.

 

[crimbfighter]

Awesome shot! Always gives you a lot to think about when you see shots like this.

Thanks! Sorta puts the universe in perspective, doesn't it?

 

[photoflyer]

Nikon 70-200mm lens at f/3.5, 200mm

I have the equivalent Canon lens and a 300mm prime along with a tracker. I'm hoping to capture this this winter up on the Skyline Drive when maybe the skies will be clear (dry) enough.

I'm wondering how much this is cropped if at all.

 

[crimbfighter]

Nikon 70-200mm lens at f/3.5, 200mm

I have the equivalent Canon lens and a 300mm prime along with a tracker. I'm hoping to capture this this winter up on the Skyline Drive when maybe the skies will be clear (dry) enough.

I'm wondering how much this is cropped if at all.

It is cropped, probably to the equivalent FOV of 300mm. I used my 70-200 and cropped instead of my 200-500 because it's faster, lighter, and sharper. The faster aperture was the real advantage for gathering more photons at a lower ISO.

 

[PJM]

Amazing image. Nicely done.

 

[Jeff15]

Nice shot......