Triangulum Galaxy, M33 (2018)

After a month of crazy weather, pneumonia, and finishing other projects, I finally finished the Triangulum galaxy (M33).  This spiral galaxy is the third largest member of the Local Group of galaxies, after Andromeda and the Milky Way.  It is located 3 million light-years from Earth in the Triangulum Constellation and can be seen with the naked eye in dark locations.  Triangulum is moving towards Andromeda and studies from 2005 and 2011 suggest that it may have interacted with Andromeda in the past.  Several regions contain star-forming HII nebula some of which are visible in my modest image.   

Once again this was a great learning experience with PixInsight as I did a little more processing with it which is why it took a few days to finish.  I had to watch more videos and there is a lot of trial and tweak.  I was able to add Ha data but not as a 100% addition but as a 20% addition to enhance the Ha regions which already were visible in the LRGB version.  PI is a great tool for experimenting with combining data sets.  I also did the final processing with PS as there some things which are much easier for me in PS at this point in time.

Lastly, while collecting imaging I made a couple of short YouTube videos on using AstroPhotography Tool (APT for Idiots).  I plan on making more over the course of a year but they won't necessarily be in any logical order until I am done.  I am a firm believer that best way to learn something is teach it and hopefully the videos will benefit new APT users.

Using APT - Focusing (4:08) - https://youtu.be/01wpkvc6r3w
Using APT - Plate-Solving (6:35) -  https://youtu.be/wTiDS4txAEQ

M33 HaLRGB

M33 - Triangulum Galaxy HaLRGBLocation: Home Monroe, CT
Date: 9-29-18, 10-29-18, 10-30-18, 11-3-18
Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM-Pro
Telescope: Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 600mm
f/7.5
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
Mount: Orion Sirius EQ
Filter Wheel: ZWO EFW 8x 1.25"
Filter: ZWO Ha, L, R, G, B
Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure: Ha 32 x 180s, L 2 x 90s, R 38 x 90, G 38 x 90, 38 x 90
Gain: 139
Offset 21
Temp: -10 C
Post Processing: PixInsight and Photoshop
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