M81-M82

Konstantin Tihonov

611792

Deep Sky

Feb 23rd, 2026

747

NGC 3031NGC 3034

Resolution:: 3711x2019 px
File size:: 7624 KB

Show astrometry on hover

Photo description / processing

Overall, this is my first experience working with a mono camera and filters. The weather wasn't great, of course—freezing temperatures, poor atmospheric transparency, and light pollution.

There were many, many different versions, but I chose this one as the best in my opinion. I struggled a lot with the stars; they looked really scary—bloated and fluffy. I wanted a hydrogen explosion in the Cigar, but apparently not this time :))

I processed it on my main monitor, which shows black as true black, not glowing black or semi-black. I decided to check it on another 4K monitor with an IPS panel, and oh horror—in the mid-tones, you can see a green tint, and the image looks completely different.

Technical information

Telescope/Lens: Sky-Watcher 150/750
Camera: ZWO ASI 585 mm Pro
Mount: homemade harmonic mount
Guide Scope: SVBONY 60/240
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI 120 MM mini
Accessories: Asi mini. Sharpstar 0.95x
Software: Siril, Adobe Photoshop, StarNet V2, Pixinsight

Location: Касимов, Россия

Light pollution

Green, Bortle 4 zone

Date taken: Feb 5th, 2025

Exposure

330 × 120″ · ISO/Gain: 200 · L-Optolong · Feb 5th, 2025
120 × 120″ · ISO/Gain: 200 · R-Optolong · Feb 5th, 2025
120 × 120″ · ISO/Gain: 200 · G-Optolong · Feb 5th, 2025
120 × 120″ · ISO/Gain: 200 · B-Optolong · Feb 5th, 2025

Total exposure: 23 h 0 m

Comments

Robert Nik

That's how much I need to save up) maybe even more) I'll start this season)

Feb 23rd, 2026

Konstantin TihonovReply to Robert Nik

And a hydrogen filter would be nice too.

Feb 23rd, 2026

Robert NikReply to Konstantin Tihonov

Everything is already there, you just need to keep collecting.
And you should definitely get it, it's a useful thing ????

Feb 23rd, 2026

KonFuz

The entire image is soft from noise reduction, the Cigar Galaxy lacks contrasty HDR, while in Bode's Galaxy the core is washed out from HDR.

Feb 23rd, 2026

Konstantin TihonovReply to KonFuz

Well, if you make it darker and suppress the background, the contrast will appear. I saw your processing on Evgeniy's (oeswww) page—you did some nice denoising there too. But the Bode's Galaxy, yeah, it's much sharper there. I couldn't achieve that. Maybe the Mesmaya sky played a role. Well, as they say, let the one who doesn't denoise now cast the first stone.

Feb 23rd, 2026

KonFuzReply to Konstantin Tihonov

The point is not about "banning noise reduction," but about using it wisely. The image looks like it's smeared, and the contrast isn't between the background and the object, but within the object itself. The two galaxies seem to sit in a haze—an artifact from using HDR.

Feb 23rd, 2026

Konstantin TihonovReply to KonFuz

Well, the haze is especially noticeable around the Cigar Galaxy; you can't avoid it anywhere around it. It's present in the stack too, especially when stretching the L channel.
No HDR. It's like some kind of cocoon. I added a photo to the description where I reduced the brightness. Do you think it should be like that?
There's both contrast and separation of objects from the background.

Feb 23rd, 2026

poppy8micro

Well, the description seems much livelier to me.

Feb 23rd, 2026

Konstantin TihonovReply to poppy8micro

Well, you can't please everyone. The eye loves contrast—it makes it easier to distinguish details. Or rather, the brain does. That's why high-contrast images look better. Most people view them on phones and tablets where black isn't truly black. Even I look at them on a tablet, and it doesn't look the same as on my monitor.

Feb 24th, 2026

DeeMooN

Have you made any adjustments? It feels like the texture of the nebula is shaped more by sensor unevenness than by the actual structure.

Feb 24th, 2026

Konstantin TihonovReply to DeeMooN

Yes, every two frames.

Feb 24th, 2026

oeswww

The sensor is certainly good, but very small. Even with my 950mm focal length, the 294mm camera fits more. By the way, lately, used 294mm cameras have been selling for 80-85 thousand rubles ;) And overall, how much useful light is wasted because of its small size...

Feb 25th, 2026

Konstantin TihonovReply to oeswww

Agreed. But this was the first object with this camera, I just picked it at random. )
I needed something to practice on. )
So I have absolutely no desire to go back to it. Well, maybe with a different camera.

Feb 25th, 2026

Konstantin Tihonov

I posted the L channel just for stretching. It's to understand what's going on with the dust there.

Feb 25th, 2026