My First Shot at Andromeda (M 31)
As an astrophotographer, there are certain targets that beckon, and the Andromeda galaxy (M 31) is undeniably one of them. This post marks my first attempt at capturing this iconic spiral galaxy, and I'm excited to share the results, even though the celestial stage wasn't perfectly set.
The Challenge of Imperfect Conditions
The night I chose for this endeavor presented less-than-ideal conditions. We were battling the presence of a near-full moon, which significantly impacts the ability to capture faint deep-sky objects. Despite these challenges, I'm quite pleased with how the image turned out.
The Gear and the Process
Here's a breakdown of the equipment and techniques I employed:
- Telescope: 200mm f5 Newtonian
- Camera: IMX2600 Color Camera
- Exposure: 135 x 2 minutes exposures (totaling 4.5 hours)
- Processing Software: Siril and Graxpert
While my attempts at Background Gradient Elimination (BGE) weren't as successful as I'd hoped, likely due to the light pollution from the moon, the overall image still holds a lot of beauty. The gradient is a testament to the conditions, but it doesn't detract too much from the galaxy's splendor.
A Breathtaking Result
Many have commented on the stunning nature of this image, especially considering it was a first attempt under suboptimal circumstances. It's truly a breathtaking sight, and it fuels my desire to capture even more of the cosmos. For anyone still hoping to achieve a decent shot of Andromeda, keep at it! The journey is as rewarding as the destination, and seeing these celestial bodies up close is an experience like no other.
This first Andromeda shot has certainly inspired me to keep exploring and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in my astrophotography endeavors.
