Messier 101 (Pinwheel Galaxy)

Pinwheel galaxy

LRGB image

 

 

Target Information

  • ALTERNATIVE DESIGNATION(S):  M101, NGC 5457
  • TYPE:  spiral galaxy
  • CONSTELLATION:  Ursa Major
  • DISTANCE:  25 million light years

Imaging Information

  • IMAGING DATE(S):  April 2012
  • L:  10 min subs x 14, Bin 1×1
  • R:  10 min subs x 7, Bin 1×1
  • G:  10 min subs x 7, Bin 1×1
  • B:  10 min subs x 7, Bin 1×1
  • TOTAL EXPOSURE TIME:  350 mins =  5.8 hrs

Equipment

  • TELESCOPE:  Takahashi TOA-130F
  • MOUNT:  Software Bisque Paramount ME
  • CAMERA:  SBIG STL-11000XM
  • GUIDING:  TC-237 (internal autoguide chip)
  • FILTERS:  Astrodon
  • IMAGE ACQUISITION SOFTWARE:  TheSkyX, CCDSoft, CCDAP5
  • PROCESSING SOFTWARE:  CCDStack, PixInsight