Messier 81 (M81, NGC 3031) in Ursa Major is one of the most conspicuous galaxies in the sky, and one of the nearest beyond the Local Group.  Light from this spiral galaxy takes 12 million years to reach us.

 

Galaxy M81   2 Apr 08, 22:12 hrs facing north
Meade 14” LX200GPS at f/3.3, Meade DSI III Pro binned 2X2, Altronomik "L" filter
10 X 60 seconds with integrated dark frames, unguided, 35°F air temp.
Stacked in Registax, processed in PhotoShop
Wishing Star Observatory

 

Galaxy M81   26 Mar 08, 23:46 hrs facing north
Meade 14” LX200GPS at f/3.3, Meade DSI III Pro, Altronomik "L" filter
2 X 10 minutes with integrated dark frames, 31°F air temp.
80mm Orion f/11.3 guidescope with Meade DSI II Color – 1 sec exposures/corrections
Stacked in Registax, processed in PhotoShop
Wishing Star Observatory

 

Galaxy M81   26 Jan 08, 00:35 hrs facing north
Meade 14” LX200GPS with Hyperstar (f/2.0), Meade DSI III Pro, IR/UV filter
13 X 90 sec with integrated dark frames, 20°F air temp.
80mm Orion f/11.3 guidescope with Meade DSI II Color – 1 sec exposures/corrections
Stacked in Registax, processed in PhotoShop
Wishing Star Observatory

Galaxy M81   24 Jan 08, 00:30 hrs facing north
Meade 14” LX200GPS with Hyperstar (f/2.0), Meade DSI III Pro, IR/UV filter
15 X 60 sec with integrated dark frames, 23°F air temp.
80mm Orion f/11.3 guidescope with Meade DSI II Color – 1 sec exposures/corrections
Stacked in Registax, processed in PhotoShop
Wishing Star Observatory

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