Date 2008	Location Cherry Springs PA	Software MaxIm DL, Images Plus	Mount Tak EM400	Guide STL-11000M
Optic Tak TOA-150 w/ reducer	Camera STL-11000M	Filter Astrodon L/R-G-B	Exposure 8 x 1200 / 5 x 600s (2 x 2)	Process Photoshop CS2

Billions and Billions.com/Andromeda Galaxy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Great Andromeda Galaxy- M31

This spectacular object is just seen with the naked eye below the big 'W' of Cassiopeia.  It is our closest neighboring galaxy in what is known as the Local Group.  That is still a staggering 3,000,000 light years from us.  Bear in mind that one light year is about six trillion miles.  It was this object that Edwin Hubble first identified as another galaxy unto itself, and not a nebula within our own Milky Way galaxy.  The large 'star' at about 9 o'clock on the disk is sub-galaxy M32 and at 5 o'clock is M110.  M31 is close to Edge-On from our vantage point, so we don't see much in the way of spiral arms, but the structure in the dark lanes coursing through it are magnificent.  Many thanks to my friend Anthony Davoli of ADM astro-accessories for allowing me to process the fine data of the galaxy, and also to Jim Misti and Steve 'Mazlini' for the wider star field.  Click the image for a larger version or return to the Gallery