My M31 Progression: A Journey Through the Years
It's always fascinating to look back at how our skills and equipment evolve, especially in the captivating world of astrophotography. I'm thrilled to share my progress capturing the magnificent Andromeda Galaxy, M31, over several years. While I don't recall every single detail of each session, I've done my best to provide accurate information about the gear and techniques used.
The Early Days (2021-2022)
My initial attempts at capturing M31 involved my trusty Nikon D750 paired with a Sigma 150-600mm zoom lens (around 400mm focal length) on an IEXOS 100 mount. The top two images were taken in 2021, with the top left utilizing an L-Pro filter and the top right without it. For processing, I used DSS for stacking and Photoshop for editing. The middle-left image, from 2022, saw me switch to Startools for processing, while still using DSS for stacking. These initial captures were performed under Bortle 8/9 skies, with roughly 4 hours of data for the top row and 9 hours for the middle left.
Stepping Up the Game (2023-2024)
The next phase involved a significant upgrade in my setup. I transitioned to an AT 60 ED telescope, an Antlia Triband filter, and an uncooled Playerone Saturn camera, all still mounted on the IEXOS 100. The middle-right image, captured in early 2023, was stacked with Siril and processed with Startools. The final two images, from late 2024, represent my most recent efforts. The bottom left was stacked and processed with Siril and Affinity, while the bottom right incorporated even more tools: GraXpert, Seti Astro Tools, and RapdRaw alongside Siril and Affinity.
Similar to the earlier images, these were all taken under Bortle 8/9 skies. The middle-right session yielded about 9 hours of data. The bottom left was around 10 hours, and the bottom right benefitted from a substantial 12 hours of integration. All subs were approximately 30 seconds long. While the first two images might not have had flats, the subsequent captures were fully calibrated with darks, flats, and bias frames.
Reflections and Community Feedback
This journey has been incredibly rewarding, and the community's feedback has been invaluable. Some have noted a nostalgic, '80s CGI vibe in the earlier shots, reminiscent of classic sci-fi scenes. Others have offered constructive criticism on color saturation, suggesting a move towards a more natural look or exploring techniques like HaRGB to enhance specific details like the blue dust lanes and Ha regions without overdoing the core's color. It's a testament to the artistic and scientific blend that astrophotography represents – we all process our data according to our vision and preferences.
I appreciate all the insights and will continue to experiment and refine my techniques. Looking back at these images, the progress is clear, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for my captures of the cosmos!
