Andromeda (M31) with M110 and M32: A Beginner's Galactic Encounter
What a night! While most were focused on the lunar eclipse, I decided to turn my lens towards the vast expanse of space and attempt to capture the magnificent Andromeda Galaxy (M31). As a beginner in astrophotography, this was an exciting challenge, and I'm thrilled to share the results.
Capturing the Cosmic Dance
The night provided a clear view, and with my Canon EOS 80D (astromodified), I set out to image M31. The equipment used for this shot included:
- Camera: Canon EOS 80D (astromodified)
- Lens: Tamron 90mm
- Exposure: 14 subs at 3 seconds each (approximately 40 seconds total exposure)
- Aperture: f/2.8
More Than Just Andromeda
What makes this shot particularly special, at least for me, is the appearance of two of Andromeda's galactic neighbors: M110 and M32. Seeing these faint smudges of light, which are actually other galaxies, alongside M31 really drives home the scale and wonder of the universe.
It's moments like these, even with basic equipment and short exposures, that fuel the passion for astrophotography. Every new capture brings a deeper appreciation for the cosmos and a desire to learn and improve. I'm looking forward to many more nights under the stars!
