Came back from Japan on Friday and had a clear night... So I setup the Mewlon with the new USB controlled focuser on M81, Bode galaxy in Ursa Major. It was a nice distraction and a good way to combat my jet lag. The skies were there usual mucky grey colour, not quite the dark black skies of winter that we are used too. This year so far there has been far too much moister in the sky. Are well if you wait for it to be perfect you will never image anything, right!
This is approximately 4.5 hours with the Mewlon at F7.3
L = 1x1, 360sec x 18 (1.8 hours)
RGB = 2x2, 240sec x 12 (2.4 hours)
History
M81 was discovered by the German astronomer Johann Elert Bode in December 1774. Messier discovered the object 2 months later, both astronomers only describe the bright central core and at that time all galaxies were labelled as nebulas, since their true natural wasn't understood.
As alway, it could use some more integration time since the background is a little too noisy for my taste, however the clouds have already rolled in tonight, so this is it for now!
Clear Skies
Darth(Neil.)
