Comet Catalina Passing M101

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Got up at 3:30 this morning to have a go at imaging comet Catalina while I could get it in frame with M101. Also, first legs for my astronomical longjohns, they did a good job keeping me warm.

Shot it with my 135mm SMC Takumar lens at f3.4 (using a step-down ring as a front aperture mask) on my 1100D, using my EQ3-2 mount. Just 14 minutes of data in 2 minute subs, with 20 darks and 30 dark bias. Tried applying flats but they didn't work again, I'll experiment some more with this.

Here's a closer crop. The smudge above and to the right of M101 is another galaxy, NGC 5474 I think, a disrupted satellite of the Pinwheel.

Really glad I made the effort, the sky was beautiful this morning and this was my first proper session since October. Very pleased with my dinky Pinwheel Galaxy and comet, especially given the short imaging run and LP up here in Hertfordshire.

[FenlandPaul]

Lovely image. I love it when a bright comet goes sightseeing like this!!

[laudropb]

Very nice capture. Had a good look at this myself.

[Pete Presland]

Great capture well worth the effort.

[Davey-T]

Very nice capture, took some of it passing M51  but not looked at them yet.

Dave

[andrew63]

That's lovely image - i really like wide shoots like this.

andrew

[Leveye]

Beautiful capture! Thanks for sharing.

[Stub Mandrel]

Very nice, significantly sharper than mine, but I did catch the extra little galaxy - thanks for the 'easter egg'!

[michaelmorris]

Nicely captured. Unfortunately we had 100% cloud cover last night, so missed its closest approach to M101,  However, I did manage get something on Friday night (running in DSS as I type)

[SkyJamie]

Brilliant!

[Stu1976j]

What a fabulous image you have there, Was for sure worth the effort 

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Thanks everyone, I'm glad I made the effort on Saturday morning. My first successful session with a tracking mount since October.