M51, Whirlpool Galaxy
A spiral galaxy with sharply defined arms and a companion galaxy (NGC5195). The small galaxy NGC5195 interacts with M51, producing gravitational distortions in M51’s spiral arms. This process stimulates star formation.
General information
- Constellation
- Canes Venatici
- Category
- Galaxies
- Date
- 12 April 2024
Capture
- Total time
- 8h 12min
- Subframes
- 240s (48xCLS bin2, 15xR bin2, 15xG bin2, 15xB bin2) + 360s (20xHa bin1)
- Gain / Offset
- 125 / 30
- Calibration
- 50 dark frames, 50 flat frames, 50 dark-flat frames, without bias frames
Equipment
- Telescope
- TS102 f/5.6
- Camera
- ASI294MM at -10ºC
- Filters
- CLS, R, G, B Astronomik 36mm and Ha, 6 nm
- Mount
- HEQ-5 Pro belt drive
- Guiding
- Guide scope 60mm f/4 + ASI224MC + PegasusAstro UCH + PPBMicro with PHD2
- Focuser
- ZWO EAF
- Filter wheel
- ZWO EFW 7pos
Processing and environment
- Processing
- Stacked and post-processed with PixInsight 1.8.9-3
- Acquisition
- NINA
- Location
- l'Ampolla, Tarragona
- Sky
- Bortle 4