M31 Mosaic

[GraemeH]

I'm now ready to call my project to image M31 complete, having reached a total of 17 hours 40 minutes on this.  I've posted an earlier work-in-progress version of this previously in the Getting Started Imaging section, and I'm now ready to ask for some constructive criticism from the SGL experts.

Equipment Details:
Scope: Evostar ED72
Flattener: OVL non-reducing flattener
Mount: Nexstar Evolution on wedge
Camera: Canon 1100D (unmodified)
Guiding: QHY5Lii-c with Skywatcher 9x50 finder

Acquisition Details:
620 x 60", 28 x 120", 128 x 180" all at ISO 1600, captured with APT and CPWI Ascom driver with PHD2 guiding, in a 2x2 mosaic
100 Flats, 100 Bias, No darks

Processing:
Calibration, Registration, Normalisation and Integration in APP
Light Pollution Removal, Star Colour Calibration and initial stretching in APP
Final adjustments and cropping to give 16:9 ratio (to fit my screen as a wallpaper) in Photoshop CC

Thanks for looking.

Graeme

[GraemeH]

New revision of this image - as usual I was too keen to share what I had before I was really happy with it.

[barkis]

You must be very pleased with what you have created here Graeme.
It's an excellent image of this majestic galaxy. Your confidence must
a lot higher now, and after 17 hours work, patience is something you do not lack,
and that is a big plus in this branch of Astronomy.
Good stuff sir .
Ron.

[tomato]

That’s a fine M31, I think your second version highlights the dust lanes better, I certainly find this object really tough to process both from a colour and luminance perspective.

Hats off to you for getting 17 hrs on this project and creating a mosaic, I have attempted a 6 panel M31, but have only got 6 hours in so far and I’m struggling. However, after seeing yours I will try and persevere with it.