This is a true color image (RGB) of Messier 31 and 110, collectively named the Andromeda Galaxy, our nearest neighbor in galactic space. This behemoth of a galaxy lies 2.5 million light years away. M110 is the small galaxy to the lower right of the main galaxy. Andromeda Gxy is the farthest astronomical object that you can see with your naked eye, visible only under a dark sky, away from city lights.
Image Info
This was taken from the dark skies of Key West with the newly upgraded travel astrophotography kit. This is my first RGB integrated image (separate groups of monochrome subframes taken through red, green, and blue filters). This image also was post-processed in Astro Pixel processor, a new tool in my imaging arsenal, that greatly reduces manual effort previously needed in processing astronomical image data:
- Camera : ZWO ASI1600MM pro
- Lens: Canon 100-400 f/5.6L lens, set to 400mm
- Mount: iOptron SmartEQ Pro
- Red: 12 subframes of 300s = 60 min integration
- Green: 10 subframes of 300s = 50 min integration
- Blue: 11 subframes of 300s = 55 min integration
- Total integration time: 165 min = 2 hours, 45 min.
- Captured via ASIAir Pro automation
- Optical tracking via ASIAir automation, currently using ST4 mount control via the ASI120MM-S guide camera
- Separate channels stacked and RGB integrated in Astro Pixel Processor
- Final processing in Aperture