M81 & M82 (Bode's Nebula & Cigar Galaxy)

M81 and M82 are examples of two different types of galaxies. M81 (sometimes known as Bode's Nebula) is a classic spiral viewed nearly face-on while M82 is usually considered an "irregular" galaxy. M82 also is suspected of unusual activity, either rapid star formation or a central black hole devouring galactic material at a high rate. Through large telescopes M82 shows "jets" or "rays" extending from the center and it has unusually high emissions in non-visible wavelengths. Both are relatively bright and are visible in binoculars from relatively dark sites and in virtually all small telescopes. They are located in Ursa Major not far from the bowl of the big dipper.

Details:

Imaged on 2/4/2006 at 11:15 PM Central Time from Fordland, MO

Equipment:

Camera: Canon 300D (unmodified) at Prime Focus
Imaging Scope: 8” F4.9 Orion Reflector
Guide Scope: 120mm F5.0 Orion refractor
Guiding: GuideDog software and SAC-7b camera and TechnoPlus LX200 emulator
Mount: Losmandy CG-11

Image Information:

8 Frames, 10 Minutes each @ ISO 800 + Avg of 5 Darks
No flat or bias frames
Captured with DSLR Control
Focused and Processed with Images Plus 2.5