Here is a 53-minute exposure of the large spiral galaxy known as Messier 81 (M81 or Bode’s Galaxy). It is referred to as Bode’s Galaxy as it was first discovered by Johann Elert Bode in 1774 and later picked up by Messier and added to his catalog. The magnitude is listed at a bright 6.9 and the distance is about 11,800,000 light-years.
I was particularly happy with capturing some of the dust clouds on the inner spiral arms during this imaging session, hoping to add more data on a later date.
Tech Specs: This image is composed of 53 x 60 second images at ISO 3,200 with 5 x 60 second darks and 5 x 1/4000 second bias frames (captured using BackyardEOS software) using a Meade LX90 12” telescope and Canon 6D camera mounted on a Celestron CGEM-DX mount. Guided using an ASI290MC mounted on a Canon 400mm f/5.6 lens using PHD2 software. Imaging was done on February 26, 2017 from Weatherly, Pennsylvania.