First m51

[AstroLuke]

Hi everyone,

I was out collecting some light the day before yesturday. I got about 2 hours worth of data on m51. Sadly i forgot to switch to raw mode on the camera so the images were all in jpg.

Anyway heres my go, i still need to practice on editing :S I had hoped for some more colors in the galaxy instead of just this one.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/64648136@N05/7297897032/in/photostream

SW Equinox 80ED, Heq5 Pro, Cannon Eos 500d.

45sec subs, total 1 hour 55 min

15 darks, 20 flats

/Lukas

[Gina]

Good start - particularly with only JPEGs

[todd8137]

That's the sme viewi get with the 12" dob great image

[pel]

Very well done Lukas. Great image.

I've done the same thing twice now. I blame BYE.

[kruska]

excellent image

but m51 is a small target for such a telescope

watch for the double cluster for instance or some nebulosity in milky way

use google sky to resolve Field of View for your telescope

[Quatermass]

Nice image have done that jpeg not raw thing so many times now I allways check it in backyard eos before I start as its easy to do and such a pain when you realize what you have done.

[AstroLuke]

Thanks for the comments

excellent image

but m51 is a small target for such a telescope

watch for the double cluster for instance or some nebulosity in milky way

use google sky to resolve Field of View for your telescope

Yea i know, but with nebulae im always in doubt. Ring nebula and dumbell are both quite small for a 80ed, but with other nebulae im not sure if the scope is big enough to get any good data with. I clearly need reflecting and emission nebulae since i dont have my camera modded. I will try one next time, which one i dont know yet I have thought about the double cluster and is also one of the objects i want this summer,