M81 Bode's nebulae Artemis CCD images at the Curdridge Observatory

M81

19/02/2010
Object name: M81 Bode's nebulae
Popular name: Bode's nebulae
Object type: Galaxy
Magnitude: 7.8
Size: 24.9 11.5
Position angle: 15
Classification: Sb
Apparent RA: 09 55 33.5 Apparent Dec: +69 04 02
Constellation: Ursa Major

Although this image is very noisy, it shows a strange view of this familiar galaxy in Hydrogen Alpha. The halo of the galaxy is invisible and the core is dimmed. Both these regions are populated by older stars. Bright spots in the arms of the galaxy show more violent star forming regions rich in hydrogen alpha emission.

Captured in ArtemisCapture, calibrated in ImagetoolsCa, combined in maxim, thuggery in photoshop

This image was autoguided using my homemade off axis guider and my black and white SC1 webcam.

Current Imaging equipment configuration

Exposure Details :

Astrodon 6nm Ha MPCC 9x600s on 200mm @ F5 with ART285

Curdridge Observatory, Southampton,UK