Captured my first long focal length image the other night. M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy. These two, interacting galaxies are 23 million light-years away from us and about 3/4 the size of our own galaxy.
Shot with Atik 16200 mono camera, 16, 3 minute sub exposures combined for 48 minutes total expose. This is the luminence channel only. I will get red, green, and blue to add color to the image later.
Scope used was 14" Meade ARC with reducer at approximately 2500mm focal length.
These 3 minute sub exposures are un-guided and show the true potential of the mount once guiding and periodic error correction are added.
