Messier 81 (Bode's Galaxy) is a spiral galaxy about 12 million light-years away, with a diameter of 90,000 light-years, smaller than the size of the Milky Way, in the constellation Ursa Major. Due to its proximity to Earth, large size, and active galactic nucleus (which harbors a supermassive black hole), Messier 81 has been studied extensively by professional astronomers. The galaxy's large size and relatively high brightness also make it a popular target for amateur astronomers.
I spent many nights (in 2018 and 2019) with my telescope pointed at this galaxy. Most of my exposures were only 30 seconds because of my severe light pollution just outside of downtown Detroit. _____
Follow me on Instagram @chucksastrophotography if you would like to see what's possible to be captured from our own backyard and to see what telescopes I use.
Hardware
Imaging Telescope: Explore Scientific 127mm ED Refractor (952 focal length)
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Cool
Mount: Celestron CGX
Exposure time: 18.8 hours
Note: A lot of people ask this, but how does my telescope stay on target if the Earth rotates. My camera and telescope sit on a motorized mount and with the help of computer software, it stays on target.
I wonder if there’s someone in Bode’s galaxy posting a picture on Space Reddit that they took after pointing a telescope at the Milky Way for 18 hours....
chucksastro on February 14th, 2021 at 03:40 UTC »
Messier 81 (Bode's Galaxy) is a spiral galaxy about 12 million light-years away, with a diameter of 90,000 light-years, smaller than the size of the Milky Way, in the constellation Ursa Major. Due to its proximity to Earth, large size, and active galactic nucleus (which harbors a supermassive black hole), Messier 81 has been studied extensively by professional astronomers. The galaxy's large size and relatively high brightness also make it a popular target for amateur astronomers.
I spent many nights (in 2018 and 2019) with my telescope pointed at this galaxy. Most of my exposures were only 30 seconds because of my severe light pollution just outside of downtown Detroit. _____
In this video, I discuss all of my telescopes and what each one can do. _____
Follow me on Instagram @chucksastrophotography if you would like to see what's possible to be captured from our own backyard and to see what telescopes I use.
Hardware
Imaging Telescope: Explore Scientific 127mm ED Refractor (952 focal length)
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Cool
Mount: Celestron CGX
Exposure time: 18.8 hours
Note: A lot of people ask this, but how does my telescope stay on target if the Earth rotates. My camera and telescope sit on a motorized mount and with the help of computer software, it stays on target.
frankenstien_farts on February 14th, 2021 at 04:05 UTC »
Is the background moving or am I too high? Need a real answer because I’m starting to lose it.
dick-nipples on February 14th, 2021 at 04:32 UTC »
I wonder if there’s someone in Bode’s galaxy posting a picture on Space Reddit that they took after pointing a telescope at the Milky Way for 18 hours....