M51 / NGC 5194 / Whirlpool Galaxy

[rjbokleman]

So this tops my longest integration effort to date coming in at 8 hours. I actually gathered almost 12, but tossed nearly 4 after doing a quality evaluation...trying to get as much resolution detail as my 4" can deliver.

Just managed to get the 97 frames debayered and aligned before leaving for NEAF. Finished up the post processing last night and during the day today off an on throughout the NEAIC sessions with Bill looking on.

I had a version with a little more color (blue/red) saturation and then pulled it back a bit tonight before I placed it up on Astrobin.



I'm seriously considering the newer Sky Watcher 8" Quattro Imaging Newtonian to try and grab more resolution...I've also been toying with the idea of an Edge 8 HD, or perhaps an 8" RC. Still undecided, but that's why attending these sessions and NEAF in general is a good thing. You get to meet lots of folks and get their point of view.

[AndyG]

Ron, Wonderful image! Congratulations!

[Bruce D]

Another beautiful image Ron, nice work!

[Pete]

What a delightfully bright image Ron. Seems like only yesterday you were climbing the start of the learning curve. Once I couldn't spell astrophotographer, and now I are one!

Pete

[rjbokleman]

Thank you ALL for the kind words. When you consider that this was taken under Red Zone conditions Bortle Scale 7 and a standard DSLR, I think with enough effort (days) one could image almost anywhere.

[Pete]

Hi Bill,

Due to repeated heart failure NEAF's not in the cards this year. First miss since 2002 Bummer. Please enjoy it for me.

Do hope to have Gail drop me by Astronomy Day mid-afternoon to say hi.

Pete

[Apollo XX]

Thank you ALL for the kind words. When you consider that this was taken under Red Zone conditions Bortle Scale 7 and a standard DSLR, I think with enough effort (days) one could image almost anywhere.

Great image, Ron! You'll be up to galaxies in the daytime in no time!

[rjbokleman]

Mike,

That was too easy!

[Apollo XX]

LOL!!! I've actually driven those when they weren't considered classics! Seems like light years ago.

[rjbokleman]

Note that I was able to capture 500 Galaxies in a single frame?