The Pinwheel Galaxy (also known as M 101, or NGC 5457) + Giacomo Pro + L-QEF, HA 3nm

The Pinwheel Galaxy (also known as M 101, or NGC 5457)

Credit: Giacomo Pro

Filters: Optolong L-QEF, Optolong HA 3nm

 

 

M 101 
The Pinwheel Galaxy (also known as M 101, or NGC 5457) is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major. 
It is approximately 20 million light-years from our solar system and spans 170,000 light-years.
Under excellent conditions, M101 can even be observed with a simple pair of binoculars; indeed, thanks to its size and relative proximity to us, M101 is one of the brightest galaxies in the sky.
 It is easy to locate, thanks to the presence of a conspicuous chain of stars to the east of the bright star Mizar. 
Its declination is very high in the northern sky; indeed, this galaxy is circumpolar across much of the northern hemisphere. 
The best time to observe it in the evening sky is between February and September.

 

 

 

Exposure: 182 x 300 seconds (2025)
Exposure: 130 x 300 seconds (2026)
Exposure:  20 x 300 seconds (Ha)
Filter: Optolong Astronomy Filter L-QEF
Filter: Optolong Ha 3nm
Camera: ASI 294 MC Pro
Telescope 1: Sky-Watcher Newton 200/800 F4 (2025)
Telescope 2: Sky-Watcher 200/1000 PDS (2026)
Mount: Skywatcher Eq 6-r Pro
Acquisition: Asiair Plus
Software: DSS - Pixinsight – Photoshop
Shots: 29–30 April 2025
Shots: 24–29 March 2026
Location: Torricella (TA) ITALY
Sky Bortle: 6
Author: PRO’ GIACOMO.

Hope you like it.