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Starless M31 Andromeda Galaxy (the Andromeda Galaxy)

oeswww
531208
Published:
322
Starless M31 Andromeda Galaxy (the Andromeda Galaxy)
Resolution:
6114x4035 px
File size:
38629 KB

Photo description / processing

As promised, here is the starless version where you can find the dust downpour (bottom left) and the barely visible hydrogen pillars above the galaxy itself.

Technical information

Telescope/Lens
Askar FRA500
Camera
ZWO ASI2600MM PRO
Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro
Guide Scope
ZWO OAG-L
Guide Camera
ZWO ASI220MM
Accessories
SharpStar 0.7x Focal Reducer for Askar FRA400 / FRA500
Software
Pixinsight, RC-Astro Plugins
Location
Мезмай, Россия
Date taken

Exposure

  • 210 × 120″ · ISO/Gain: 100 · Antlia V Pro L ·
  • 113 × 120″ · ISO/Gain: 100 · Antlia V Pro R ·
  • 113 × 120″ · ISO/Gain: 100 · Antlia V Pro G ·
  • 117 × 120″ · ISO/Gain: 100 · Antlia V Pro B ·

Total exposure: 18 h 26 m

Photo versions

LRGB M31 Andromeda Galaxy (the Andromeda Galaxy)
LRGB M31 Andromeda Galaxy (the Andromeda Galaxy)

Sep 27th, 2026

18 h 26 m

Drizzle 2x failed to upload due to file size restrictions. So I performed a downsample (factor 2) and reduced the file size from 160 to 46MB. I hope the quality didn't suffer too much.You can't imagine what the stars are hiding. I was literally left with my mouth open when I saw what they were hiding. But more on that in the next upload of the object without stars ;)

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Comments

Lex Kasatkin
And what's this dust shower?
Didn't wipe the tube?
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Ryjov Aleksey
The work is good, the detail is on point, but the orange color of the galaxy really bothers me, it can't be like that, it's unnatural.
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oeswwwReply to Ryjov Aleksey
It absolutely can be. There's spectrophotometric color calibration, white balance correction, and just boosted saturation across the whole galaxy. Nothing was processed or colored separately. The colors weren't changed. All relationships between brightness and color are preserved. The colors are natural and match expectations. Yes, you could reduce saturation by half — it would look more natural, but less vivid. I, in turn, could have pushed saturation even higher to farm likes, but I stopped at 2/3 of the way (vivid but not toxic). Maybe your monitor also displays color somewhat differently. If you solve the purple problem in your work, you'll also be able to raise saturation and see the orange color)
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