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M81 - Bode's Spiral Galaxy in Ursa Major
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Copyright 2010 Hap Griffin M81, also known as Bode's Galaxy, is a spectacular example of what is known as a
"grand design" spiral galaxy. It's prominent spiral structure
with rich star forming regions, showing here as blue due to the abundance of hot
young stars, is a result of a strong gravitational influence with another nearby
spiral galaxy, M82. Date/Location:
February 16, 2010 Griffin/Hunter
Observatory Bethune, SC
M81 lies at a distance of 12 million light-years.
Camera: QSI 583wsg
Filters: Astrodon E Series Generation 2 LRGB
CCD Temperature: -20 C
Instrument: Planewave CDK 12.5"
Focal Ratio: f/8
Mount: AP-1200
Guiding: Auto via the QSI camera's built in Off-Axis Guider
mirror and a Starlight Express Lodestar Guider
Conditions: Clear and cold
Weather: 32 F, still
Exposure: 350 minutes total (200 min Lum, 50 min each RGB)
Capture: CCDAutopilot 4 w/ Maxim DL Camera Control, focused automatically w/
FocusMax
Processing: Frame calibrations, alignment and stacking with ImagesPlus v3.80.
LRBG compositing and finishing in Photoshop CS4.