M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

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Juno16 United States of America
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M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

#1

Post by Juno16 »


Good Evening Everyone,

I had a really nice night of imaging Sunday night. Crisp 50F temps with nice clear skies all night.
I collected more data on M101 to add to the 3 hours that I collected on 4/5/21 before getting clouded out.

I did have an issue with a big light dome when M101 was low only to find out that my neighbors streetlight was replaced with an led!

Imaged with my Explore Scientific ED102 and ASI 533 MC Pro with IDAS LPS D-1 filter. Total integration was 9.5 hours with 90 second exposures (104 gain) at -10C. Captured with N.I.N.A.

I couldn’t pull it off with my limited skills in Pixinsight, so I bailed to DSS and Photoshop. Stacked at 90% in DSS yielded about 8.5 hours of total integration.

Don’t get me wrong. I really am amazed at the power of PI and have had good success with it, I am just on a long and slow learning curve.
Photoshop is just fun and easy (I’m no expert there either)!

I probably clipped the black a bit trying to get rid of the lp gradient and the stars aren’t the greatest, but I like the gentle definition and less fuzz of the spiral arms with some Ha areas visible. I was blown away to learn that M101 contains a trillion stars!

Thanks for looking and C and C very welcome.
M101 for PS-5.jpg
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), Orion 50mm Guide Scope, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, Orion SSAG, IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
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Sky: Bortle 6-7
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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

#2

Post by Bigzmey »


Nice shot Jim!
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

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Post by starfield »


Hi Jim, I like the details you pulled out in the arms, even with your neighbors new LED streetlight. I know what you mean about PI. I'm finding the pre-processing really helpful, but when it comes to the techniques in non-linear land, especially noise reduction, I find myself struggling. Got to keep working thru the Adam Block tutorials....
Scopes: Esprit 100, 12.5" Telekit Dob
Camera: 294 MC Pro, 224 mc, 2600mm
Guiding: ZWO 290 mini on 120mm guide scope
Mounts: EQ6R-Pro, EQ Platform.
Filters: Optolong L-Pro & L-Enhance, Chroma 36mm LRGB, 5nm HA, 3nm OIII, 3nm SII.
Software: SharpCap, SGP, StarTools 1.7, Photoshop, Pixinsight
The Death Star Observatory
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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

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Post by Juno16 »


starfield wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 1:13 am Hi Jim, I like the details you pulled out in the arms, even with your neighbors new LED streetlight. I know what you mean about PI. I'm finding the pre-processing really helpful, but when it comes to the techniques in non-linear land, especially noise reduction, I find myself struggling. Got to keep working thru the Adam Block tutorials....
I am with you there. The new WBPP script is really nice. Like you, I also struggle with some images in the non-linear phase. Not for all images though. When I got challenged today, I folded.
I also need to put in the time!

Thanks Steve!
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), Orion 50mm Guide Scope, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, Orion SSAG, IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

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Post by BABOafrica »


I know nothing about PI. But the shot came out ok in the end.

BABO
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Scopes: Stellarvue SV80 Raptor Carbon Fiber ED Doublet / Celestron SCT C8
Williams Optics 66mm APO / DIY 8" f/4 Newtonian astrograph / Nikon 180mm f/2.8
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-G / Celestron AVX / DIY mini-equatorial
Cameras: QHY163m / Fujifilm X-A1 (modded) / Fuji X-A2 (not modded) / Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

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Post by MariusD69 »


Wonderful image! Well done, Jim! It seems that ASI533 is more sensitive than ASI294 in Red/Ha band. The image looks like you add some Ha frames to OSC.
Marius
Mount: iOpton Cem60, HEQ5-for spare
Scopes: newt SW 150/750PDS, dobson SW 150/1200; SW 114/500; TS Photoline 80mm f/6 Triplet APO; SW ST80
Cameras: ASI294MC Pro; ASI1600MM Pro; Atik 314L+mono; Canon 1100D; QHY5III-178m; QHY5L-II-m ; ASI224; Altair GPCAM 290M, GPCAM290C
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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

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Post by Juno16 »


MariusD69 wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 6:44 am Wonderful image! Well done, Jim! It seems that ASI533 is more sensitive than ASI294 in Red/Ha band. The image looks like you add some Ha frames to OSC.
I wouldn’t think that the Ha response would be different between the ASI533 and ASi294, but I cannot say since I’ve never used the ASI294.

I did plan to shoot some light frames with the L-Enhance, but at the last minute just shot with the IDAS LPS D-1 all night.

The Ha did show well in the Photoshop process, but I struggled getting it to show in PI. I have so much to learn!

Thinking back, I think that I would have better success in PI if I had shot some L-Enhance frames.

Thanks Marius!
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), Orion 50mm Guide Scope, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, Orion SSAG, IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

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Post by messier 111 »


splendid take , thx
I LOVE REFRACTORS , :Astronomer1: :sprefac:

REFRACTOR , TS-Optics Doublet SD-APO 125 mm f/7.8 . Lunt 80mm MT Ha Doublet Refractor .

EYEPIECES, Delos , Delite and 26mm Nagler t5 , 2 zoom Svbony 7-21 , Orion Premium Linear BinoViewer .

FILTER , Nebustar 2 tele vue . Apm solar wedge . contrast booster 2 inches .

Mounts , berno mack 3 with telepod , cg-4 motorized , eq6 pro belt drive .

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.”
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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

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Post by Greenman »


Nice one Jim, I agree the black is a bit clipped, but the nebula (the Star if you will) is great pulled a lot out.
Cheers,

Tony.

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Smart Scope: Dwarf II - Club and outreach work.

AP Refractor: Altair 72EDF Deluxe F6;1x & 0.8 Flatteners; Antares Versascope 60mm finder. ASIAir Pro.Li battery pack for grab & go.

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Cameras: main DSO ASI533MC; DSO guide ASI120MM; Planetary ASI224MC; DSLR Canon EOS100 stock.

Filters: Astronomik IR cut; Optolong L-Pro; Optolong L-Enhance.

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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

#10

Post by bobharmony »


Very nice, Jim. You have done a great job bringing out the fainter outer arms! PI is indeed complicated and PS can be very useful sometimes. Stick with it, I'm sure you will get there.

Bob
Hardware: Celestron C6-N w/ Advanced GTmount, Baader MK iii CC, Orion ST-80, Canon 60D (unmodded), Nikon D5300 (modded), Orion SSAG
Software: BYE, APT, PHD2, DSS, PhotoShop CC 2020, StarTools, Cartes du Ciel, AstroTortilla

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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

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Post by Juno16 »


@Greenman
@bobharmony
Thanks Tony and Bob.
Believe me Bob, PI is an amazing application and I will definitely stick with it. Photoshop is pretty cool too and I will stick eith it too! The more tools the better!
Jim

Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), Orion 50mm Guide Scope, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, Orion SSAG, IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

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Post by ic_1101 »


Excellent capture Jim with nice definition in the spiral arms.
Alex
Scope: SW Esprit 120ED, Askar FRA300
Mount: ZWO AM5
Cameras: QHY268M/C, QHY183M/C, ASI290MM
Software: Pixinsight, AstroPixelProcessor, SGP
Observatory: Exploradome with Nexdome rotator
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Re: M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

#13

Post by Jockinireland »


Thats a super image Jim. Love the colors. I have found, and I'm finding again now, that M101 is very difficult to process well and you've done good work on this.
Scope: Skywatcher Evostar 80ED (SW 0.85 FR/FF) on a SW NEQ6Pro
Guiding; SW Evoguide 50ED, ASI 120mm mini
Meade 8" LX200 GPS on wedge (Guided with a cheapo 50mm guidescope and a ZWO ASI 120mm mini)
Sharpstar 61EDPH II (with dedicated 0.8 reducer) with wiliam Optics 32mm uniguide
Camera: ASI2600MC pro. QHY 163M with ZWO 7nm NB filters, Canon EOS700D astro mod
Secondary mount: Skywatcher StarAdventurer

My Astrobin https://www.astrobin.com/users/mackiedlm/
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