#M81, M82 WIP

43 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

plain rivet
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🌌 From Beginner to Master: My Astrophotography Journey 🔭✨

Five years ago, I knew almost nothing about astrophotography. I had no idea how to track the stars, process deep-space images, or even what a light frame was. But after countless nights under the stars—learning, failing, and improving—I’ve captured one of my most detailed deep-sky images yet: Messier 81 (Bode’s Galaxy) and Messier 82 (The Cigar Galaxy), surrounded by something even more special—the Integrated Flux Nebula (IFN).
This image is more than just a photograph; it represents years of dedication, late nights, and refining my craft. What once seemed impossible—bringing out the faintest details of distant galaxies and hidden structures—is now something I can finally achieve with confidence.

What is the Integrated Flux Nebula (IFN)?
Unlike bright nebulae that glow due to radiation from nearby stars, IFN is a vast, ghostly network of interstellar dust and gas that drifts high above the plane of the Milky Way. It doesn’t shine on its own but instead reflects the combined glow of billions of stars in our galaxy.
In this image, you can see the IFN as soft, cloudy structures surrounding M81 and M82. These delicate tendrils of dust are part of the larger Galactic Cirrus, a faint structure only visible with deep exposures and meticulous processing.

Why is Capturing IFN So Challenging?
🔹 Extremely faint – IFN has an incredibly low surface brightness, making it almost indistinguishable from background noise.
🔹 Requires dark skies – Even slight light pollution can completely obscure these subtle details.
🔹 Long exposure times – Hours of imaging and careful processing are needed to reveal IFN without introducing artifacts.

Further testing required (Flats?)
Galactic Tidal Interactions: The Dance of M81 & M82
If you look closely, you’ll notice faint S-shaped tidal structures in the smoky regions between Messier 81 and Messier 82. These aren’t just random dust clouds—they’re remnants of gravitational encounters between these two galaxies!

  • 200x 120 seconds (2 mins) Luminance
  • 200x 120 seconds (2 mins) Green

If the forcast remains, I will image in H-alpha and blue tonight. Excited to process!

Best regards and Clear skies!
AcmeAstro

Screenshot_2025-03-19_093906.png
cloud violet
plain rivet
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Nope, but maybe AI did. I used it to throw the description together like a good little tech boy should. 😆

cloud violet
spiral oxide
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Looks like some very nice resolution, but I believe that "s shaped structure" is nothing but internal reflections.

cloud violet
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these are the Ifns on m81 m82

oblique warren
cloud violet
plain rivet
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hm interesting. Maybe I jumped the gun, Ill check. Thanks for calling it out.

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I only see it in luminance, and green actually. My red and blue subs do not contain it. Hm.....

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Ugh, I cannot find another example anywhere with similar shapes.

oblique warren
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this is what i should look like credit: jimmy

image.png
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oops adw already sent it

plain rivet
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Could it be flats? I used a white t-shirt. But I never saw such a thing before. 🤣 See, trial and error!

oblique warren
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you have actual ifn in there though, if you can msgr this you might be able to pull it out

plain rivet
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Ok, Ill test flat creation in the morning then. Thanks for the advice.

spiral oxide
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Unfortunately internal reflections won't be corrected by flats, im 90% sure that's what this is.

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But won't hurt to inspect the master flat along side the lights.

plain rivet
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Hm, my backyard is dark, I wonder whats causing them.

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Very very strange.

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There was a moon partway through the night, Ill double check to make sure its not reflecting off glass or something.

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Annoying because the data is quite good. : /

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Ill just make a t-shirt. I found something new!

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😅

spiral oxide
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Yea reflections are annoying asf

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Big ahh dew shield + covering all possible entry ways for light helped my noot have zero reflections.

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Even with full moon out.

quiet otter
plain rivet
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Good idea I'll try the dew shield I have one

plain rivet
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It is my flats, not the data. I double checked.

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Light is entering tube during flat creation.

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I try with a flat panel in my office.

spiral oxide
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That's a relief Roblox_MADwithJOY

plain rivet
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Flat panel worked great, taking darks then Ill stack everything. I already ran some test runs. New flats solved the "I discovered something new!" issue.

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Skywatcher has a white glass primary mirror. So light comes in. Not a great design if I am honest on the 200P.

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It ends up shadowing the focus tube and createse those weird patterns.

spiral oxide
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Yea I had to put a cover on the back of my newt

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The primary mirror is visible so light and refract through it and into the tube.

oblique warren
plain rivet
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@oblique warren , I made a new post. With the final image just now. Enjoy 😄