Galaxies
Messier 82
Cigar Galaxy
|
| Object : | M82 |
| Coordinates/Direction : | RA: 09h55m, DEC: +69o40' |
| Object size : | 11.2' x 4.3' |
| Apparent magnitude : | 8.41 |
| Distance : | 12 Mly |
| No solar mass : | - |
| Type : | IO |
| Discovered by : | Johann Elert Node, year 1774 |
| Find in constellation : | Ursja Major |
| More to know : |
Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Messier 82 |
| Date : | 2025-11-24 + 12-24 + 12-27 |
| Time (UT) : | -:- - -:- |
| Exp. time : | 87x120 seconds at ISO400, dithering every 3rd |
| Image process tool : | Siril, Graxpert, VeraLux, Gimp, Irfanview |
| Processing : | calibration flat and photometric color, background subtraction, stretch |
| Weather : | Clear sky, Moon phase -%, Temperature -1o to +5o |
| Comment : |
Added all data I have together and could reduce the noise a bit, a bit more of the galaxies faint rim visibly now. |
| Image process tool : | Gimp, Irfanview |
| Processing : | Added a 2.2 gamma and some stretch, rotation, scale and crop |
| Comment : |
If you're wondering how my images compare to JWST images, I've created an image here from its data.
It's a finished mosaic of several images taken with JWST's NIRCam camera, the infrared wavelength range, about 0.6 µm to 5 µm.
My telescope's diameter is 130mm, JWST has a diameter of 6500mm.
If it had been the same wavelength, JWST would have about 50 times higher angular resolution.
But if you compare it to its wavelength range, it would only be about 10 times better compare to the visual wavelength, strangely enough.
But JWST is in space without an atmosphere to interfere, and its large mirror collects an enormous number of more photons per unit of time.
The costs: my equipment 5'000$, JWST 10'000'000'000 $. |
| Exp. time : | 41x120 seconds at ISO400, dithering every 3rd |
| Image process tool : | Siril, Graxpert, VeraLux, Gimp, Irfanview |
| Processing : | calibration flat and photometric color, background subtraction, stretch |
| Weather : | Clear sky, Moon phase 3%, Temperature +5o |
| Comment : |
A lot of new tools to master the light pollution and the problem it cause with the background.
Graxpert is very powerful and easy to use.
Need a lot of practice to master these tools, but there are a lot of tutorials on YouTube.
Look at the full field view and you find the M81 galaxy at bottom.
This time of the year is nice, can start taken astrophotos already 6 pm. |
| Exp. time : | 19x120 seconds at ISO400, dithering every 3rd |
| Image process tool : | Siril, Gimp, Irfanview |
| Processing : | calibration flat and photometric color |
| Weather : | Clear sky, Moon phase 15%, Temperature -1o |
| Comment : |
First time I center the M82 galaxy with my big APO refractor.
Normally I only have it together with M81 when that galaxy is centered.
You will find the M81 galaxy in this photo too if you take a look at the full resolution photo above.
I only have a free view to those galaxies a few hours in November and December. |
English
(Click on image to get the wide angle image in full resolution in a new window)
Credit JWST Program ID: jw1701, data obtained from MAST/STScI
(Click on image to get the wide angle image in full resolution in a new window)
(Click on image to get the wide angle image in full resolution in a new window)