M51 Whirlpool Galaxy

[Gerr]

This grand-design spiral galaxy is in the constellation Canes Venatici and is about 23 million light years away. What fascinates me is how this galaxy interacts with a smaller galaxy (M51B) in the way of ripping it apart. Amazing to be able to see this with our amateur telescopes.

I managed this in just over 2 hours imaging time with a waning crescent moon on 6th March last week. My skies are Bortle 6.

Lights: 92x90secs (ISO1600)  Canon 650D  Optolong L-Pro filter

SW200P Reflector (no wind for a change)

CC's welcome

Widefield Image:

Zoomed Image:

[Stargazer33]

That's really nice. I like the colours and you've got good star shape too.

[Roy Foreman]

Very nice image Gerr - well done !

[Gerr]

Appreciate the kind comments, thanks. 
This was processed entirely in photoshop CS2 (after stacking in DSS). Usual levels and curves adjustment, star and noise reduction, saturation boost with some sharpening for zoomed image and gradient field flattening for final results. Voila!!!!

Cheers,

Gerr.