M51 Whirlpool Galaxy

[crimbfighter]

I finally had a real opportunity with clear skies this week to try imaging M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, where it wasn't so cold out I was willing to stay outside. I only had about two hours and this is my first legitimate attempt at capturing and processing a galaxy. I am somewhat limited due to not using an astro-modified camera. I lose detail as well as losing some color in both the galaxy and the stars. Oh well. I cant justify buying astro dedicated cameras. The image is a bit off center because I didn't have perfect polar alignment and calibration of the mount, so the go-to function was a little off. But, it was close enough and I didn't want to add another variable this time around. I also think my focus drifted a tad in the later frames as the night went on due to temperature changes. A quick google search yields many incredible images of this galaxy and one day I hope to improve upon it when my skills are better.

M51
23 million light years from earth
400 million years old
30,000 light years across
It is actually two galaxies, the larger consuming the smaller one

Nikon D800 (non-astromodified)
STC clip in light polution filter
Celestron 8" SCT EdgeHD scope (f/10, 2000mm focal length)
Celestron Advanced VX go-to Alt-Asmuth mount
20-250sec exposures
1hr 15min integrated exposure time with light, dark, bias, and flat frames included
Stacked in Deepsky Stacker and processed in PS

 

[yahgiggle]

very cool

 

[crimbfighter]

very cool

Thanks!

 

[zombiesniper]

Very cool image.

 

[Jeff G]

Awesome!

 

[crimbfighter]

Very cool image.

Awesome!

Thank you, both!

 

[Tropicalmemories]

Very cool image. In what way does a camera need to be modified for astro work?

 

[JonFZ300]

Really cool image, good job

 

[Original katomi]

Brill, if you are that good with a std camera, what would advantage Astro adapted one give you
Ok stub last question
I have just done a bing search and now understand the difference

 

[K9Kirk]

Just terrible! The bully galaxy should be reported!
Ha, awesome pic, do some more!

 

[Jeff15]

Wow, nice one....

 

[crimbfighter]

Very cool image. In what way does a camera need to be modified for astro work?

Thanks, and that's a good question. There are several differences. There are both astro modified DSLR's as well as dedicated astro photography cameras. The main differences is that the astro photography cameras, both modified DSLR's and dedicated astro photography cameras, do not have an infrared light filter in them. For every day photography, we are only interested in the visible light spectrum. However, galaxies and nebulae emit both visible and infrared light and being able to pick up the infrared light allows for capturing much more detail. It also helps preserve the true colors of the object and helps to capture color in the stars. The dedicated astro cameras also can have built in cooling systems to cool the imaging sensor because with long exposures the sensor heats up, which increases noise in the image. Dedicated astro cameras can range from around $1000 to several thousand, so it's a big investment for a camera that can't be used for anything else. There are companies that will modify DSLR's for a couple hundred dollars and they remove the IR filter from the sensor, install new firmware that allows longer than 30 second exposures, and can even add built in wiring for AC power to the camera. Again, though, it makes the camera difficult if not unusable for every day photography. So, in the end, I will have to make due with what I have!

 

[crimbfighter]

Really cool image, good job

Thank you!

Brill, if you are that good with a std camera, what would advantage Astro adapted one give you
Ok stub last question
I have just done a bing search and now understand the difference

I'm glad you answered your own question. Perhaps one day I can buy an astro only camera, but it's not in the cards for now.

Just terrible! The bully galaxy should be reported!
Ha, awesome pic, do some more!

Haha, I'll call the galaxy police and see what can be done! It is incredible to think about what is really going on between those two galaxies. I have a whole list of galaxies I want to capture. Unfortunately this kind of photography is subject to having clear skies and no moon, which means there aren't many good nights in a given month. There are a number of astro photographers who spend years imaging one object because it may only be available to image for a few days a year and they can only get one day on it. When it returns the next year they take more exposures and combine the data from both years to make an image. It can be a hobby of patience, for sure..

Wow, nice one....

Thanks!

 

[K9Kirk]

Wow, bummer! I was just thinking about getting into astrophotography this morning until after I'd done some research and found there is way too much light pollution in my arear. I would have to drive close to around 40 miles to get to anywhere halfway decent.

 

[crimbfighter]

Wow, bummer! I was just thinking about getting into astrophotography this morning until after I'd done some research and found there is way too much light pollution in my arear. I would have to drive close to around 40 miles to get to anywhere halfway decent.

Don't get discouraged so fast! There are several incredible light polution filters that block out most man made light polution. I'm not sure where you are, but in my area I'm in a Bortle class 4 or 5, and I managed to get a pretty decent result. I know of people who are in a Bortle class 8 and have great success.