2.5 Million light-years away, the oldest photons collected by my camera so far. This is my first picture of the Andromeda Galaxy: a combined 10-minute exposure with a Canon M50 mirrorless and Rokinon 135mm lens. Prior to 1921, it was believed that the Milky Way was our whole Universe, large, hazy galaxies such as Andromeda were recorded to be nebulae. Longer exposures will bring out more dust lanes and other spiral galaxy details.
My second attempt with 20 minutes of exposure, combined with the 10 minutes from the first attempt brings out extra details in the dust lanes and low-density outer regions in this 30 minute shot. This one is also better color-balanced, with increased saturation highlighting the clear distinction between blue and red stars and a darker background overall.
Added a further 20 minutes of exposure on December 5, 2021. Combined 50 minutes, ISO 1600.
M82, The Cigar Galaxy in Ursa Major. 12 million light-years away. The large bursts of red "cigar smoke" at the center are filaments of gas and dust that stand out in a Hydrogen-alpha filter. M82 is a starburst galaxy, forming new stars at a rate 10 times faster than the Milky Way. Image taken with Trevor Anderson and Abby Kate Boyer, Astro104 Honors students, The University of Mississippi.
