M51

M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy) and its companion NGC5195 galaxy are located 23 million light years away in the constellation Canes Venatici.  The red/pink areas of the galaxy are star forming HII regions.

Optics:  Deep Sky Instruments RC10C

Mount:  Astro-Physics AP900GTO

Camera:   SBIG ST2K XM

Guiding Camera:  SBIG ST-i

Filters Astrodon  S2, Ha & O3

Location:  Deerlick Astronomy Village & Roswell Georgia

Exposure Details

Ha = 435 Minutes (mapped to red)

L = 310 Minutes

RGB = 200 Minutes Bin 2x2