M101 (with a little Ha)

Here is a recent image of M101 somewhat close up. I also got a little H-Alpha data and merged it with the red channel. Image and exposure / processing details are here:

http://www.jthommes.com/Astro/M101C.htm

Scope - C8 at f/6.4
Camera - Artemis285 H-Alpha, LRGB filters
Mount - G11/Gemini
Guiding - WO Megrez II at 1350 mm FL, DSI Pro, PHD guiding

A wider field image taken in 2005 is here:

http://www.jthommes.com/Astro/M101.htm

Gorgeous, Jim!

Tom

Great shot Jim!nice spiral detail in the arms.

Looking great Jim!

Looks good Jim,

Nice details near the core area!


Jason

Thanks for the comments folks.

I had neglected to mention that I stacked the luminance both with a straight average and with a sigma median combine. I noticed a difference in SNR between the two stacks - quite noticeable actually. I hadn't given that much thought to it before. Anyway, I used both stacks to try to get the best of both stacking methods.