M51

[Padraic M]

This is 444x60s RGB subs from ASI533MC Pro and Esprit 80, no filter, captured over 5 nights in the last week.
Total integration time is 7hrs 24mins.
Bortle 8 city skies.

 

Whenever I get good weather under darker skies, I may revisit to try get more of the tidal tail. I may also try to add some Ha.

[mackiedlm]

Thats a super image. I always like it when there are back ground galaxies lurking - IC4263 i think in this case.

[Padraic M]

Thanks David - yes, that's 4263 to the bottom-right. Stellarium has pointed out two more smaller galaxies hanging just off the left of M51's 'companion', almost hidden in the tidal dust - IC4277 and IC4278.

I'm enjoying the 533MC OSC. The plan is to use it in dark skies for filter-less RGB, and capture mono narrowband in the city. The OSC workflow is so much more straightforward! Pleasantly surprised with the results I'm getting even in the city with this camera.

[Lee_P]

Great image!