M31 - Andromeda Galaxy

[CoolhandJo]

The only way for me to image the Andromeda is drive out west to a dark site (Mudgee Observatory Australia Bortle 2). Thanks to John who allowed me to set up on his property while I waited for it to rise low on the horizon. This is only about 1.5 hours (22 x 4 mins) with a Samyang 135mm Lens and ASI 533 MC pro on a HEQ5 rowan upgrade. I know- I will add Ha and more data next trip out!

Astrobin high res here https://astrob.in/jethfv/0/

[Anth10]

Paul- the trip was well worth it by all accounts. Very rich and immersive shot of our neighbouring galaxy. You’ve done an incredible job. Love it.

Anthony.

[Startrek]

Paul,
Lovely image of M31 from the Mudgee Obs
A great start , well done !!
John’s sister in law Mary paddles with my wife in the outrigger club at Mollymook.
I haven’t met John but my wife has and said he’s a wonderful character, old school astronomer , very learn’ed
I might get to meet him in the future

Martin

[Crater101]

Lovely bit of work! That 135mm lens has worked a treat for this.

[CoolhandJo]

Thanks Anthony! there sure is a lot of stars in that region

[CoolhandJo]

Thanks Warren. So low on the Horizon I just wasn't confident to bring the ED80 for a closer view with so little image time. But the 135 does it fast and wide.

[AdamJL]

Very good! Such a fast lens allows you to partly overcome the low exposure time we get this far south.

Thanks for sharing.

[CoolhandJo]

Thanks a lot Martin!

I went to Wiruna hoping it would be opnen but it was closed on the Thu. So stuck I gave Mudgee Obs a ring and John was more than obliging. I consider the trip successful even just meeting John! He showed me a picture he took in 1989 on Kodak film of the Aurora Australis from Mt Kosciusko!!!! A true legend.

[CoolhandJo]

Thanks Adam LOL I was just posting a reply with that very thought!

[Dave882]

Great shot with some lovely detail for such a low target. Well done!!

[CoolhandJo]

Thanks David. I reckon if I went back again I'd add some Ha but being low you get a bit washed out on the RGB.

[strongmanmike]

Great result Paul, I really like the bright "glowing" look that often gets lost, in the quest to reveal the inner dust lanes etc. Good to see you have experienced some clear skies too, a rather rare commodity in SE Oz, for quite some time now....unless the Moon is Full of course :rolleyes: :scared:

Mike

[CoolhandJo]

Thanks Mike! You know it rained on my gear 1 hour after I set up for this shot then it cleared! Times are a changing!

Also John (Mudgee obs) mentioned you on the weekend. We were talking about great astro images and he mentioned you!

Yes I would like glow and detail but this target doesn't let you unless you take hours and hours and get close!

[strongmanmike]

Yes, well with the 3M Scopedome and AP1600GTO, I do have the potential to be able to setup as fully automated and remotely operated from Canberra, with cloud meter etc, so I could take advantage of the shorter clear periods or when it clears up unexpectedly etc buuuut, sadly, I have reached (ok well and truly blown! :rolleyes:) my approved observatory budget and just cant afford all the extra bits and pieces and WiFi/cabling links etc required now :sadeyes:...at least for a while anyway...I do have an all-sky camera, waiting to be setup :question:



Ooooooh, which one?? :question: :face:



You'll just have to do several visits to Mudgee, its a great looking Andromeda, already :thumbsup: :)

Mike

[gregbradley]

Always wonderful to see an M31 from Aussie skies.

Nicely done. One suggestion I think because it's so low in the sky you are picking up excess red that should be processed down.

Greg.

[CoolhandJo]

Thanks Greg yes your right. There is a bit too much red. I left it in to fgive it more colour as it was a bit washed out due to its position in the horizon. But I'll do it and see. Thanks

[Addos]

always great to see andromeda pics! very nice rendition with the samyang! bit of inspiration to finally buy the zwo adapter for mine :)

[CoolhandJo]

Thanks Adam - get the one with the filter adaptor. :D