Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Here is my latest version of M82. This one was taken at the prime focus of my Meade Schmidt Cassegrain telescope (4096mm focal length at F10). This time I was able to catch some of the faint parts of the galaxy and IFN around the galaxy. On close inspection I found a lot of the more distant galaxies in the image. None of these distant galaxies appear on my sky charts. I was fighting high clouds on the nights I was capturing the images but was able to get enough data for the image. All questions, comments and suggestions are welcome.
There are two versions of the image below, which do you like best.


Details:
All subs taken at -20c with a ASI 62000MM pro monochrome camera. All subs calibrated with darks, flats and bias frames. All shot binned 1x1 with gain set to 100.

Frames used
46 frames at 4 minute exposures each with the luminance filter (184 minutes total luminance exposure time (3hr 4min) )
20 frames at 5 minute exposures each with the red filter (100 minutes total blue exposure time )
22 frames at 5 minute exposures each with the green filter (110 minutes total green exposure time)
31 frames at 5 minute exposures each with the blue filter (155 minutes total blue exposure time)
44 frames at 15 minute exposures each with the Ha filter (660 minutes total Ha exposure time (11hours) )

Total exposure time (1099 minutes (18 hours, 19 minutes).
The red and Ha were combined with more weight given to the HA for the red channel.

Higher contrast version to bring out the center of the galaxy.

(Download)

Lower contrast version showing more of the IFN and fainter parts of the galaxy

(Download)

Stu A Loc: Portsmouth, Ohio

JN56 Loc: Southern California

That is really awesome!!! Nice work! ✨

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Nice, really, really nice...!

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi Stu A

Thanks for checking out the images of M82 and for the Thumbs up.

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi JN56
Thanks for viewing the images of M82 and for the comment.

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi rmorrison1116
Thanks for checking out the images of M82 and for the comment.

Marc G Loc: East Grinstead, West Sussex, England

Great work mate

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

That's what a fine telescope with lots of focal length and a competent operator can do.

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi Marc
Thanks for checking out the images of M82 and for the comment.

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi alberio
Thanks for viewing the photos of M82 and for the comment. I've been fighting high clouds and only able to get a hour or two on most nights, but eventually got enough subs to put an image together.

tony85629 Loc: Sahuarita, Az

Great shot. Got lots of Ha.

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi tony85629
Thanks for checking out the shot of M82 and for the comment. The Ha really brings out the tendrils of gas emanating from the Cigar Galaxy (Makes it look more like the exploding Cigar Galaxy).

Railfan_Bill Loc: "Lost Wages", Nevada

WOW What an image, Ballard!!! It does help to have buku millimeters in the scope! Nice equipment, too. RFB

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Hi Railfan_Bill
Thanks for viewing the images of M82 and for the comment. The focal length helps bring in the galaxies. It's a bit too long for some of them (e.g. https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-714994-1.html).