Object Information

• Name/Designation: Bode’s Galaxy (Messier 81, NGC 3031)

• Object Type: Spiral Galaxy

• Constellation: Ursa Major

• Distance from Earth: ~11.8 million light-years

• Apparent Magnitude: ~6.9

• Angular Size: ~27 × 14 arcminutes (~0.45° × 0.23°)

Imaging Info

• Date: March 24, 26-27, 29, 2023

• Location: Athens, Greece

• Frames: 516 × 60″ exposures (8h 36m)

• Camera Settings: Gain 101 | Temperature: -5 °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)

• PHD2 Guiding

• PixInsight

• BlurXTerminator

• NoiseXTerminator

• StarXTerminator