This is an image of M81, also known as Bode’s Galaxy, after Johann Elert Bode who discovered the galaxy on December 31, 1774. This is a spiral galaxy about 12 million light years away in the constellation Ursa Major. Just above M81, you can see its satellite galaxy, irregular galaxy Holmberg IX.
January 26-31, 2017
Location: Rancho Hidalgo, NM
Telescope: Planewave CDK-17
Camera: Apogee CG16M
Mount: Paramount ME
Luminance: 27x20 minutes (binned 1x1)
Red: 12x15 minutes (binned 2x2)
Green: 12x15 minutes (binned 2x2)
Blue: 12x15 minutes (binned 2x2)