M31 - The Andromeda Galaxy

21:43 8/8/2005 UTC

I finally got my new scope for DSLR imaging. It is a William Optics Zenithstar 66mm f6 Petzval refractor. After a long struggle with guiding I managed to capture 5 good frames before the clouds rolled in. I was very happy with the results! Conditions were bad, I couldn't see M31 with naked eye, which is usually quite easy from my backyard. Clearly I need darker sky and flats to make a better image. This little scope seems to be a fairly good performer. In the image there is also Andromeda's satellite galaxies M32 and M110 and a distinct clump of stars in upper right part of the galaxy, NGC206, an open cluster in Andromeda Galaxy.

Camera: Canon EOS 350D (Rebel XT) | Telescope: William Optics Zenithstar 66mm f6 petzval refractor | Mount: Orion Skyview Pro, Boxdoerfer PowerFlex MTS-3SLP drive controller | Guiding: , Orion ShortTube 80mm f5 refractor, Phillips ToUCam Pro II webcam, Qastrocam, Orion Shorty Plus 2x Barlow | Exposure: 5 x 180s (15m) f6 ISO800, three darks, no flats | Software: IRIS, GIMP | Location: 60°31'N 26°52'E (Koivula/Kotka,FI)