Cigar Galaxy - M82

[Skywatcher]

I finally got some clear skies on Mar 16-17-18 and took advantage of the opportunity. Although I was intent on imaging comet Lulin one last time, it didn't show up in my photos. I live inside a light polluted city so I am sure that costs me 2-3 magnitudes in brightness. Too my surprise I was able to get some images of M81 and M82 ( not in same photo ). The image of M82 is my best one although it is pretty poor by magazine standards. I consider myself as a beginning astrophotographer.

The image is 8 x 30s w/canon 300d and Celestron C8 @ F6.3. 



James C
Arkansas

[Ron]

James,

I think that's great, small but never the less a very good image  

For only 4 minutes you are doing pretty good even in a light polluted city.

It would have been nice to have your M81 & M82 put to gether as a mosaic.  Were they in the same field of view?  Were you on a wedge?

Thanks for sharing, and keep up the good work.

Ron

PS I saw a Mickey Mouse in the picture, I'm always looking for those

[Skywatcher]

Yeah, it is too small but Fototime downsizes  to 640x480. I blew it up and cut out a 640 x 480 rectangle so you can see the galaxy instead of the star field. Search for M82 ...

I have a Celestron C8 sct on a Orion Sirius EQ-G equatorial mount. No on the same field, I tried to get them together but they wouldn't fit. I think they would fit if I had been using the camera's large file format? I didn't see mickey, I guess I don't know where to look?

James C
Arkansas

PS
Sorry about getting it in the wrong forum, just carelessness, I know better.

[Ron]

James,

Don't worry about the wrong Forum

Here is your Mickey.  I spot these all the time,  maybe I've spent to much time over at Disney World



If you have an image of M81 try to do a mosaic with M82.

Ron

[twilbur]

Nice shot James!
Keep plugging away, experience is the best teacher.