First image of M101

[G4AQB]

My first attempt at M101, the Pinwheel Galaxy.

This is one of those objects that is difficult to see because it is quite big with a high surface area. I could not find it with my SkyWatcher 130m last year. I'm really pleased with my first attempt with a scope and equipment that is really working at it's limit. If you look carefully you can see another feint galaxy to the lower left of M101.

Conditions were not ideal when I took this image, a lot of hight cloud and light pollution, but I managed to filter out some of it to produce an acceptable image.

Image taken with Skywatcher ST80 and SLT mount and Canon EOS 350D. About 60 subs @ 45 sec. ISO 800 stacked in DSS. Processed in Photoshop.

Steve

[mik]

Thats a good start Steve at least you found it.

Mick

[barkis]

That's a nice capture of 101 Steve. It's spiral structure shows up nicely in your picture.

It's better than the one in my Messier album.

Ron.

[Sam]

Looking good Steve.