Object: M81 Camera: Meade DSI Pro II
Date: 2/17/09 Telescope: Meade 80mm ED refractor
Total Exposure: LRGB: 76',32',32',32' respectively Subexposures: 4 minutes each
Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G Guiding: PHD - Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Location: West Boylston, MA Guide Scope: Orion Short Tube 80
Processing:
  • Photoshop:
    1. Each channel imported using Fits Liberator plug-in
    2. Curves and Levels adjusted to each channel
    3. Red, Green and Blue channels RGB merged
    4. Luminance data added via Steve Cannistra's Luminance Corrected LRGB method
    5. Gradient reduced via GradientXterminator
    6. More curves and levels adjustments to taste
Description:

M81 - AKA Bode's Galaxy

First discovered by Johann Elert Bode in 1774
Messier 81 is a spiral galaxy about 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. M81 is one of the most striking examples of a grand design spiral galaxy, with near perfect arms spiraling into the very center.