Andromeda Galaxy – Then vs. Now: A Journey in Astrophotography

Astrophotography is a journey of continuous learning and improvement. It's incredibly rewarding to look back at early attempts and see how far you've come, both in terms of equipment and processing techniques. Today, we're diving into a fantastic example of this progress with a captivating comparison of the Andromeda Galaxy, captured years apart.

The "Then" Image: A Humble Beginning

Our first glimpse of the Andromeda Galaxy is a testament to the passion that drives astrophotographers, even with more modest equipment. This early capture showcases the spirit of exploration and the desire to image the cosmos.

Equipment Used:

• Canon Xsi
• Tamron 300mm F/5.6
• iExos-100 EQ mount
• Guided with a Tamron 200mm lens and a modified dashcam
• Bortle 8 skies

While the details for this initial capture are sparse due to data loss, the image itself speaks volumes about the early stages of a budding astrophotographer's journey. It's a solid foundation upon which further learning would be built.

The "Now" Image: A Significant Glow Up!

Fast forward to a more recent capture of the Andromeda Galaxy, and the difference is nothing short of spectacular. This "now" image is a result of upgraded equipment, refined acquisition strategies, and more advanced processing. The detail and clarity are truly impressive, demonstrating significant progress.

Equipment Used:

• Sky-Watcher 10" Quattro OTA
• Starizona Nexus 0.75x reducer/corrector
• Full spectrum Nikon D5300
• 2" Optolong UV/IR cut filter
• 2" Optolong L-eNhance filter
• EQ6-R Pro Mount
• Orion 50mm mini guide scope
• T7C guide camera
• Bortle 8 skies

Acquisition Details:

• Two sets of images were captured:
  • 250 x 60sec at ISO 400 with a UV/IR cut filter
  • 48 x 300sec at ISO 200 with an L-eNhance filter
• No darks or bias, only flats (Note: For best results, bias frames are generally recommended in conjunction with flats).

Processing Workflow:

• Stacked in DeepSkyStacker (DSS) with default settings.
• Lightly processed in Photoshop.
• Stars separated using Starnet++.
• Galaxy processed using levels, curves, and color correction.
• Gradient removal applied.
• H-alpha regions from the L-eNhance stack were integrated.
• Stars were added back to the galaxy image.

This "now" image is a testament to the dedication and learning that goes into capturing stunning deep-sky objects. The clarity of the spiral arms, the subtle color variations, and the overall detail are a significant leap from the earlier capture.

What a Glow Up!

It's always inspiring to see such dramatic improvements in astrophotography. The "then vs. now" comparison for the Andromeda Galaxy is a clear indicator of how much can be achieved with passion, patience, and a willingness to learn and adapt. If you're just starting your astrophotography journey, don't be discouraged by early results. Every image is a step forward, and with time and effort, you too can achieve amazing results!

We can't wait to see what the future holds for this astrophotographer's captures!