M31 Astrophoto – The Great Andromeda Galaxy

Sep.28 2011

M31 Astrophoto – The Great Andromeda Galaxy

Here’s my latest picture of the The Great Andromeda Galaxy. Also known as Messier 31, Andromeda is a spiral galaxy about 2.2 million light years away from Earth. In 964 a persian astronomer described the galaxy as a ‘small cloud’. When you look at Andromeda through a telescope, it looks like a smudge or a small cloud. Only with a camera and long exposure, does the galaxy’s true form take shape. The majestic spirals and bright center core reveal a universal grouping of over 1 trillion stars!

Andromeda Galaxy - August 23, 2011

Compare the astrophoto above with a picture of the Andromeda Galaxy from about 1 year ago, or this photo of Andromeda from 18 months ago. Skills, equipment and 1 year’s experience make a big difference in picture quality!

Astro Photo Details
5×10 minute RGB / 150 Total minutes
SBIG ST8300 Camera
Orion ST80 Guide Scope
SBIG 402 Guide Camera
Paramount ME Mount
William Optics FLT98
CCDSoft / The Sky X / CCDStack

:Andromeda Galaxy, Galaxies

2 Comments for this entry

Howard
October 1st, 2011 on 2:48 am
Amazing as always brother.
Mark
October 1st, 2011 on 8:28 pm
Very nice picture.

Hey, but where’s all the other stuff?
You know – the Dark Matter? I don’t see any of it.