M51 - 15.3.2015 at 22.00 Helsinki Observation number 36039

Visibility V / V

Tero Hiekkalinna, Ursa (Helsinki)

The first deep-sky object I’ve exposed in an hour. The total exposure in the picture 4 hours 14 minutes (83x3min + 1x5min).

This description has been automatically translated from Finnish. Click here to see the original text.

11 10

Additional information

Observation target
- Deep space object
Designation
- M51
- Erittäin näyttävä

Constellation
- Canes Venatici
Galaxies
- Spiral galaxy
  
  Spiral galaxy is a stellar system where there are outwards arched spiral arms from roundish (spiral galaxies) or bar-shaped (barred spiral galaxies) central condensation.
  
  The apparent shape of spiral galaxied depends on out observation direction. From above they are quite round. From the side they lens-shaped with a bulge in the middle.
  
  Generally a rather large instrument, good weather conditions and observational expereince are needed to see spiral arms. Usually spiral galaxies look like a fuzzy spots.
  
  Spiral galaxy M33 in Triangulum. Image Tero Turunen.
  
  Andromeda Galaxy M31. There are also galaxies M110 (upper right corner) and M32 (lower left corner) in this image. Image Pekka Peura.
  
  M101 aka Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major. Image Samuli Vuorinen.
  
  Spiral galaxy IC 342 aka Hidden Galaxy in Camelopardalis. Image Timo Inkinen.
  
  A sketch of spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegasus. Image Juha Ojanperä.

Technical information

Celestron EdgeHD 8 + Advanced VX + 0.7x shortener + Canon EOS 500D. The tracking tube is a 9x50 viewfinder tube and the camera is an ASI120MC. Images 83x3min and 1x5min, total 4h14min, ISO1600. Software; APT, PHD2, PixInsight, DSS and PS CS2.

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M51 - 15.3.2015 at 22.00 Helsinki Observation number 36039