Bode's Galaxy ... Messier 81
(Click on Picture for larger view)

Added January 28, 2020 ...
Bode's Galaxy … Messier 81
I took this picture using the Orion 190mm Maksutov-Newtonian at f/5.3, January 28, 2020. This is a 3hr 35mn exposure.

Messier 81 is also known as "Bode's Galaxy", named after the German astronomer Johann Elert Bode who discovered it in 1774. It is about 12 million light-years away and about the same size as our Milky Way Galaxy with about 250 billion stars. It appears nearly face on. The center contains a super black hole.

Previous view ... January 31, 2019 ...

The Techy Stuff ... For those who want to know ...
Telescope: Orion 190mm Maksutov-Newtonian at f/5.3
Focal length: 1,000 mm
Mount: Celestron CGEM
Mount setting and alignment via Celestron PWI software
Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider Pro & 80mm Scope
Guiding Software: PHD2
Camera: Altair Hypercam 294c Pro TEC
Binning: 2x2
Sensor Temp: -15°C (5°F)
Focus Controller: Pegasus Cube
Filter: None & 12nm Ha
Settings: Gain: 450 (900 for Ha)
Total sub-light frames: 35 @300sec (2hr 55min)
Total sub-Ha frames: 8 @300sec (40 min)
Calibration frames: 12 Dark 40 Flat and Dark_Flat
Capture Software: SharpCap Pro
Stacked in Deep Sky Stacker
Post-processing in PixInsight & Photoshop CC
Outside temperature 49°F (9.4°C)
Bortle Light Pollution zone: 4.5 (Barely can see the Milky Way)
Sky Condition: 10 [scale of 0 (cloudy) to 10 (clear)]
Location: My Backyard, Savannah, GA

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