M31 - A Glimpse of the Andromeda Galaxy from Norway's Darkness
As the season for dark skies returns to Norway, the allure of the cosmos beckons once more. I'm thrilled to share my first capture of the season, a breathtaking view of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). This image was made possible within a precious 3-4 hour window of darkness, and I'm very pleased with the initial results. I'm already looking forward to revisiting M31 as the nights grow even darker and longer.
The Capture: Details and Equipment
The acquisition process involved an integration time of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, achieved through 43 individual exposures of 180 seconds each. For this particular capture, no filters were used, allowing the raw beauty of the galaxy to shine through.
My setup for this endeavor included:
- Telescope: Redcat 51
- Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro
- Guiding: ZWO guide scope with ZWO guide camera
- Mount: Skywatcher AZ-EQ GT
- Controller: ASIAIR Mini
The Processing Journey: From Raw Data to Cosmic Portrait
The journey from raw data to the final image involved meticulous processing steps. Initially, I utilized Siril for stacking the individual frames, performing color calibration, background extraction, and removing any green noise. The majority of the final touches and enhancements were then skillfully executed in GIMP, bringing out the intricate details and vibrant colors of the Andromeda Galaxy.
This image represents a promising start to the astrophotography season here in Norway, and I'm excited to continue exploring the wonders of the night sky. Stay tuned for more celestial captures!
