M31, The Great Galaxy in Andromeda

 

(Click on image for full size version  Note: big file!)

 

Exposure Data: 10/9/2002.  2 frames of RGB: 4x10m, 4x10m, 4x10m. -15°C, 3.5 arc-sec./pixel.
 
Processing: Acquired with Maxim, reduced, debloomed, hot/cold pixel processing in Maxim, aligned and combined in Mira, RGB combine in Maxim.  Mosaic assembly, curves, levels and post-processing in Photoshop.
 
Optical System: FSQ-106 @ F/5, ST-8E USB NABG/CFW-8A CCD camera, guided by eFinder/STV, Paramount ME mount.
 
Comments: Seeing was variable over the period but the large pixel scale makes it less of a factor.  This is a work-in-progress and will change as more frames are added and/or processing is improved.