M63 Galaxy Sunflower

Ryjov Aleksey

2775067

Deep Sky

May 27th, 2025

1433

NGC 5055

Resolution:: 2944x2164 px
File size:: 1291 KB

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Photo description / processing

I continue testing the wonderful Askar SQA 106 mm f/4.8. Astronomical night at our latitudes ended back in early May. But the weather is clear, so we shoot!

Technical information

Telescope/Lens: Askar SQA 106
Camera: ZWO ASI 183 MC Pro
Mount: Ioptron HAE 29 C
Guide Scope: Askar 52mm F4
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI 120 MM mini
Software: SharpCap 4.0, Siril, GraXpert, Adobe Photoshop

Location: Петушки, Владимирская область, Россия

Light pollution

White, Bortle 8/9 zone

Date taken: May 24th, 2025

Exposure

58 × 300″ · ISO/Gain: 120 · Фильтр IR CUT · May 24th, 2025

Total exposure: 4 h 50 m

Photo versions

Updated

M63 Galaxy Sunflower

Jan 30th, 2026

4 h 50 m

Reprocessed the material from 24.05.2025. Used the capabilities of the new Siril scripts.

Current photo

M63 Galaxy Sunflower

May 27th, 2025

4 h 50 m

I continue testing the wonderful Askar SQA 106 mm f/4.8. Astronomical night at our latitudes ended back in early May. But the weather is clear, so we shoot!

Show changes

Comments

Oleg Novoselov

M63 Galaxy Sunflowerfrom 05/27/2025

It's time to stop using the 183 camera and switch to the 2600, you have one, right?
When stacking, use drizzle x2; the resolution will likely be no worse, and the stars will definitely improve.

May 29th, 2025

Ryjov AlekseyReply to Oleg Novoselov

M63 Galaxy Sunflowerfrom 05/27/2025

Yes Oleg, I've had that thought too, more than once. The 183 is a problem with stars—they come out large and are hard to process. And the camera is outdated, of course. I have a 2600; I think even without drizzle the result won't be much worse, and the noise is much lower. Though right now the light pollution is so bad, as you know. Thanks for the advice!

May 29th, 2025

Oleg NovoselovReply to Ryjov Aleksey

M63 Galaxy Sunflowerfrom 05/27/2025

Well, with this level of light pollution, we have to give it a try. And try stacking with drizzle—at this focal length, the resolution is clearly insufficient.

May 29th, 2025

Ryjov AlekseyReply to Oleg Novoselov

M63 Galaxy Sunflowerfrom 05/27/2025

Okay, got it about the drizzle. I'll give it a try. I posted a reprocessed version of NGC 2903, taken with the 2600 MC, and the stars are clearly better here, etc. Clear skies!

May 29th, 2025