M82- The Cigar Galaxy

Image Description:

M82 is also known as the Cigar Galaxy for its elongated visual appearance, it is a starburst galaxy with a superwind. In fact, through ensuing supernova explosions and powerful winds from massive stars, the burst of star formation in M82 is driving the prodigous outflow of material. The filaments extend for over 10,000 light-years. Some of the gas in the superwind, enriched in heavy elements forged in the massive stars, will eventually escape into intergalactic space. Triggered by a close encounter with nearby large galaxy M81, the furious burst of star formation in M82 should last about 100 million years or so. M82 is 12 million light-years distant, near the northern boundary of Ursa Major.

Tech card:

Imaging telescope: Teleskop Service TS 10" RC.

Imaging camera: ZWO ASI294MM-Pro.

Mount: iOptron CEM60.

Guiding camera: ZWO ASI290MM mini.

Focal reducer: Teleskop Service CCD47 0.67x reducer for RC telescopes.

Accessory: ZWO ASIAIR Pro · ZWO OAG · ZWO 8x 1.25" Filter Wheel (EFW).

Frames:

Astrodon Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Lum: 20x180" (gain: 120.00) -15C bin 2x2.

Astrodon Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Red: 20x180" (gain: 120.00) -15C bin 2x2.

Astrodon Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Green: 18x180" (gain: 120.00) -15C bin 2x2.

Astrodon Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Blue: 20x180" (gain: 120.00) -15C bin 2x2.

Chroma 3nm Ha: 10x600" (gain: 200.00) -15C bin 2x2.

Total integration: 5.6 hours.

Darks: ~50.

Flats: ~30.

Flat darks: ~30.

Avg. Moon age: 26.66 days.

Avg. Moon phase: 9.26%

Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 4.00.

RA center: 9h 55' 52"

DEC center: +69° 40' 56"

Pixel scale: 0.707 arcsec/pixel.

Orientation: -95.583 degrees.

Field radius: 0.150 degrees.

Imaging dates: April 8, 2021, April 9, 2021.

Imaging location: Abu Dhabi desert, UAE.

Copyright: Wissam Ayoub