M31 - Andromeda: A Bortle 4 Garden's Celestial Gem
What a sight! I'm thrilled to share this capture of the magnificent Andromeda Galaxy (M31) from the comfort of my own Bortle 4 backyard. It's truly a testament to the beauty of the universe that we can bring such distant wonders into view with a little dedication.
The Journey to Capture M31
Achieving this shot involved a dedicated effort in data acquisition and meticulous processing. Here's a glimpse into the technical details:
Acquisition Details:
- Total Integration Time: 3 hours (62 x 180" Subs)
- Calibration Frames: Included for optimal data quality.
- Camera: Nikon Z6ii (ISO 800)
- Mount: GEM45
- Scope: Askar 71f
- Autoguiding: Asiair with an asi120mm guide camera and svbony guide scope.
Processing Pipeline:
- Stacking: DeepSkyStacker (DSS)
- Editing: Siril for initial adjustments
- Final Touches: Photoshop and Topaz Denoise for refinement and noise reduction.
It's amazing to see what's possible when you combine good equipment, a dark sky, and a passion for the cosmos. The universe is indeed beautiful, and being able to share these moments is incredibly rewarding.
I hope you enjoy this view of Andromeda as much as I enjoyed capturing it!
