🌌 Object Information

• Name/Designation: Whirlpool Galaxy (Messier 51 / NGC 5194)

• Object Type: Spiral Galaxy (with interacting companion NGC 5195)

• Constellation: Canes Venatici

• Distance from Earth: ~31 million light-years

• Apparent Magnitude: ~8.4

• Angular Size: ~11 arcminutes

📅 Imaging Info

• Date: May 29-30 & June 1-3, 2022

• Location: Athens, Greece

• Frames: 690 × 60″ exposures (11h 30m)

• Camera Settings: Gain 101 | Temperature: 0 °C

• Bortle Scale: 8/9 (city sky)

🔭 Equipment & Guiding

• Imaging Telescope: Sky-Watcher Explorer 130PDS

• Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro

• Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ5 Pro

• Filter: Baader UV/IR Cut Luminance 2″

• Accessory: Baader 2″ MPCC Mark III Newton Coma Corrector

• Guide Scope: Artesky 32mm Mini Guide Scope

• Guide Camera: ZWO ASI120MM Mini

🛠️ Software

• Astro Photography Tool (APT)

• Sharpcap

• PHD2 Guiding

• Adobe Photoshop

• Siril