messier101_v1b.jpg

Messier 101, is known as the Pinwheel galaxy, located in the constellation Ursa Major at a distance of 25 million light-years away. According to NASA, Messier 101 is 170,000 light-years across, nearly twice the diameter of our own Milky Way galaxy! 

The image was captured using only LRG filters, the color is nowhere close to the true color. As usual, the clouds rolled in with a threat of rain, so I packed up the optical gear.

Imaging Telescope:
Explore Scientific ED102 APO Triplet
Imaging Camera:
ZWO ASI 2600mm Pro
Filters:
ZWO Filters LRG
Accessories
Primaluce Labs ESATTO Robotic Focuser 2"
ZWO EFW 7 x 2"
Software:
Astro Pixel Processor, Photoshop, SharpCap Pro Version 4.0
Guiding Camera:
QHYCCD PoleMaster EQ Mount Polar Alignment Camera
Dates:
April 22, 2022
Frames:
91x60" (1h 31') (gain: 200.00) -25°C bin 2x2
Integration:
1h 31'
Flats:
75
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale:
6.00