M81 and M82

20:41 24/10/2005 UTC

I didn't realize how bright these two really are. I was testing my computer free setup on to M33 and wondered if M81 and M82 were visible from my backyard. After a while of just scanning the general area I expected them to be, I found them. After a short test exposure, I just let a silent hooray out! Too bad my PEC wasn't co-operative after I had scanned the sky, so I had to trash about 60% of frames. But the rest was of very good quality. I am definitely going to come back to this!

Camera: Canon EOS 350D (Rebel XT) | Telescope: Orion Optics Europa 200mm f6 Newtonian reflector | Mount: Orion Skyview Pro, Boxdoerfer PowerFlex MTS-3SLP drive controller | Exposure: 7x90s f6 ISO1600, 14 darks, no flats | Software: IRIS, GIMP | Location: 60°31'N 26°52'E (Koivula/Kotka,FI)