The Bode Galaxy M81 + Tommaso Massimo Stella + L-QEF & Ha 7nm

The Bode Galaxy M81

Credit: Tommaso Massimo Stella (Italy)

Filters: Optolong LRGB, Optolong Ha 7nm

 

 

 

Is it possible to photograph the past? The answer is Yes, and we can do it "comfortably" from our little planet. The photo I took last month portrays the Bode galaxy (M81-NGC3031) located in the constellation of Ursa Major.
The photons that compose it traveled in Space for about 12 million years before being captured by the sensor of my astronomical camera.
Its spiral shape is very common. Smaller than our Milky Way, it is the main galaxy of the "M81 Group".
Its rotation speed is estimated at 300 km per second.

 

 

 

Technical data
Date & Site: 2025-02-21, Maruggio (TA)-Italy, SQM 20.40
Lights: 235x180s (Optolong L-QEF) + 80x180s (Optolong Ha 7nm)
 

Setup:

Omegon CC Pro 200/1870mm

Skywatcher AZEQ6 GT

ZWO ASI 2600mc DUO + Giordano 571M Pro (Touptek)

Hope you like it.