Capturing the Majestic Andromeda Galaxy: A First-Time Astrophotographer's Journey

As a budding astrophotographer, there are certain celestial landmarks that call out to be captured. The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is undoubtedly one of those. Its sheer scale and proximity, making it the closest spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way, are irresistible to the amateur astronomer. Recently, I embarked on my first attempt to photograph this iconic object, and I'm thrilled to share the process, the gear, and the final results!

The Gear:

• Camera: Sony a6000
• Lens: Samyang 135mm f2
• Mount: MSM Nomad

The Hunt Begins: Acquisition Details

Shooting deep-sky objects like Andromeda requires patience and a good understanding of your equipment. From a Bortle 5-6 sky, I managed a total exposure time of 3730 seconds. Each individual sub-exposure was 10 seconds long at ISO 1600. This duration was crucial to gather enough light from the faint details within the galaxy.

In addition to the light frames, I also captured approximately 20 calibration frames (darks, flats, bias) to help clean up the final image and remove noise and sensor artifacts.

The Process: From Raw Data to Stunning Image

Once the data was collected, the real magic of post-processing began. This is where raw light is transformed into a visually appealing representation of the cosmos:

1. Stacking: I started by stacking all the light and calibration frames using Siril. Stacking is essential for improving the signal-to-noise ratio, making fainter details visible.
2. Denoising & Background Extraction: Next, I utilized GraXpert for denoising and background extraction. These steps are critical for removing unwanted noise and flattening the background sky, which often has gradients due to light pollution.
3. Photometric Color Calibration & Stretching: Returning to Siril, I performed a photometric color calibration. This ensures the colors in the final image are as accurate as possible. Finally, stretching the data allowed me to bring out the subtle structures and details within the Andromeda Galaxy, revealing its beautiful spiral arms and dusty lanes.

The Result:

This is my first time shooting the Andromeda Galaxy, and I'm incredibly pleased with the outcome. Seeing M31 take shape in my processed image is a truly rewarding experience.

This journey has only fueled my passion for astrophotography. The universe is vast and full of wonders, and I can't wait to explore more of it through my lens!

Stay tuned for more celestial adventures!