M31 - The Andromeda Galaxy

23:46 26/9/2008 UTC

Regards from DS-Meet, a Deepsky observers gathering in Tähtikallio observatory, Artjärvi. Skies in Tähtikallio are very dark and I was after M31 again to get the most out of the galaxy. Weather wasn't the best during the happening but we had a short window of clear dark sky (21.37mag/arcsec2) and I could do some imaging. I was prepared to expose til the dawn but clouds ruined my plan. Anyway, I think I got still a nice image - but I have to return to this once more to get my planned 4hrs of exposure and try to reveal the material bridge between M31 and M110.

[High Resolution]

Camera: Modified Canon EOS 350D | Telescope: Skywatcher ED80 Pro 80mm f7.5 refractor, William Optics 0.8x focal reducer | Mount: Vixen GP-D2, Boxdoerfer PowerFlex MTS-3SLP drive controller | Filters: Astronomik EOS L UV/IR Insert Filter | Guiding: , The Imaging Source DMK 21AU04.AS CCD camera, Orion ShortTube 80mm f5 refractor, Stark-Labs PHD Guiding | Exposure: RGB: 4x600s (40m) ISO800 f6, 3 darks, 15 flats, 0 bias | Software: Stark-Labs Nebulosity 2, Adobe Photoshop CS4, GradientXTerminator Plugin | Location: 60°44'00"N 26°12'46"E (Tähtikallion Observatory/Artjärvi, FI) | Background sky brightness (SQM): 21.37mag/arcsec²