Overview
A pair of galaxies almost 12 million light-years from Earth. Bode (right) is a spiral, and its gravity is causing high rates of star formation in the irregularly-shaped Cigar (left). Their official names are M81 and M82.
Background
I took this image for my review for the Optolong L-Quad Enhance filter. It’s only 6 hours 24 minutes of data, taken in a single night, but isn’t too bad!
I’m quite happy with the level of detail that I managed to glean through the thick haze of city light pollution. I probably should have gathered some Hydrogen-Alpha data using my Optolong L-Ultimate, given how much there is swirling about in these galaxies. A mono camera with a Hydrogen-Alpha filter would be even more efficient.
Science
If you look above M81 (the more spiral of the two), you’ll see a strange object that looks like a smudge. This is actually Holmberg IX, a young dwarf galaxy orbiting M81. Thanks to Jane Clark from the Cardiff Astronomical Society for spotting this and identifying it for me!
Imaging details
| Date | 17-18 January 2024 (one night) |
| Location | Bristol, UK (Bortle 8) |
| Telescope | Askar 130PHQ Flatfield Astrograph |
| Camera | ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO |
| Mount | Sky-Watcher EQ6-R PRO |
| Guide | William Optics 50mm Guidescope with 1.25″ RotoLock; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini |
| Control | ASIAIR Plus |
| Software | PixInsight, Lightroom |
| Filters | – Optolong L-Quad Enhance 192 x 120 seconds (6 hours 24 minutes) |
| Total exposure time | 6 hours 24 minutes |
| Image credit | Lee Pullen |
Processing
See below for a full video walkthrough of how I processed the image.
Source data
Previous version
I first imaged The Bode and Cigar Galaxies back in April 2021, using my wide-field Askar FRA400 telescope.
* April 2021
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8)
* Telescope: Askar FRA400 f/5.6 Quintuplet APO Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
* Guide: William Optics 32mm; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Software: PixInsight, Photoshop, Lightroom
* Control: ASIAIR PRO
* 420 x 120 seconds (IDAS LPS-P3 Light Pollution Suppression Filter) & 300 x 120 seconds (no filter)
Total integration time: 24 hours
By Lee Pullen
Seestar S50
Seestar S50 image coming later…
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I’m new to astronomy, I was never a person concerned with the fascination out there as I was my planet earth. But M81 is a subject I’m deeply wanting to know more about. Can you send me a site or article on everything regarding m81 please. Thank you and thank you for your detailed observations and photography
It’s an interesting target! Here’s a good article, but there’s much more online if you search. https://www.universetoday.com/47054/messier-81-1/
Hi – I just shot this pair for the first time two nights ago. I’m still processing and editing, but I wanted to search for examples to compare with, and I came across yours. They’re very nice, and I like the “before and after” comparisons. I also like your choice not to over-saturate the colors; that’s my preference as well.
One small note: I believe you reversed your “left” and “right” designations for M81 and M82 at the very top of the page.
Bruce
Thanks Bruce, and well spotted about my mistake!