M33 - The Triangulum Galaxy: A Refined Astrophotography Capture
We're excited to showcase a breathtaking new image of the Triangulum Galaxy (M33) captured by one of our talented community members. This latest attempt builds upon previous work, incorporating valuable feedback to achieve a truly spectacular result.
A Closer Look at the Process
The astrophotographer took on board suggestions regarding oversaturation, leading to a re-stacking of the data and a more meticulous approach to background extraction and color calibration. The outcome is a testament to the power of collaborative refinement in astrophotography.
Technical Specifications:
This impressive capture was made possible through a dedicated effort, with the following equipment and processing steps:
- Total Integration Time: 3 hours 28 minutes (208 × 60s)
- Camera: Sony a6400 (uncooled, APS-C sensor)
- Telescope: Celestron NexStar 8SE with 0.63x focal reducer
- Mount: NexStar SE
- Guiding: ZWO ASI120MM + PHD2
- Acquisition Software: NINA
- Filters: None (Broadband, OSC)
- Location: Bortle 4 skies
- Calibration: Darks, Flats, Bias
- Stacking Software: Siril
- Post-Processing: Siril (preprocessing & stretching), Photoshop (final color and contrast)
About the Triangulum Galaxy (M33):
Located approximately 3 million light-years away, the Triangulum Galaxy is the third-largest galaxy in the Local Group, after the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way. It's a spiral galaxy, much like our own, and is a popular target for amateur and professional astronomers alike.
We're thrilled with the progress and the stunning beauty of this final image. Keep up the fantastic work!
