M31 Andromeda Galaxy

[Barry-Wilson]

My version of M31 imaged over many nights through December between weather and moonlight windows.  I have found this quite a challenge to process with gradients from moonlight and its dynamic range.  I'm sure I will return to this target in the future when better conditions allow (some way to go on the magnificent M31 from Grinde    and Olly's version revealing the halo   ).

It is also first light with my Baby Q at F3.9 and Atik 383L+ combination after waiting for a M54 to T2 adapter to be made which had a shorter mechanical length than the Tak wide T2 mount which didn't allow sufficient back focus for a short T2 spacer.  I do like the scale (3.39"/px) and FOV and am currently working on a mosaic of the Flaming Star and Tadpole area with this configuration.

The details:

• Takahashi FSQ85 EDX with 0.73x reducer
• Avalon Linear Fast Reverse mount
• Atik 383L+
• Baader LRGB, Astrodon 5nm Ha
• SGP for capture and processed with PI
• All subs bin 1
• Lum - 10 x 180s, 20 x 300s, 6 x 600s
• R, G, B - 10 x 300s each channel
• Ha - 4 x 900s
• Total integration of 6.7 hours

Hi res version, http://astrob.in/141436/0/. 

Thanks for looking.

Barry

[Mr Spock]

Very nice. The dust lanes have come out really well. The colour is a bit too saturated though.

[toxic]

that's nice Barry  good color balance and plenty of detail 

[Polar Bear]

I would certainly be proud of this image, love the dust lanes. From an asthetic point of view the red is a little 'in your face' but that really is nitpicking. Thanks for sharing.

Paul

[theo]

A fine image Barry considering the challenges you were facing...Lovely definition in the dust lanes.

Pete

[Martin-Devon]

Nice to see you have the reducer sorted out on the Tak, looks lovely and flat to the edges. Lots of nice detail shining through as well, especially the red H-alpha globules in the dust lanes. 

Martin

[Gina]

Very nice indeed

[jeremy1]

Fantastic picture.

[Barry-Wilson]

Thanks everyone.

Processing LRGB after such a run on NB data certainly felt unfamiliar; not too sure the black point is right yet and perhaps a little too sharp overall.  I have to admit I still find it difficult to know when to be satisfied with an image and to stop 'tweaking'  .

Barry

[Barry-Wilson]

Martin

I'm delighted with the flat field . . . like you stated in a previous thread by Kirkster a couple of weeks ago, I'm not going to touch the 3 grub screws on the reducer again!

Barry

[toftm]

Wow, that is stunning! Don't quite think my iPhone will cut the mustard.....

[PatrickGilliland]

Great work Barry - that Ha pops out really well also.

Paddy