M81 and M82

Introducing my first astrophotography result of 2023 — a wide field image of the beautiful galaxies M81 and M82. It's been quite a while since I've been able to capture any astrophotography images, as my setup has been idle since November 2022. So, it's an exciting accomplishment to be able to share this latest capture with you all.

Despite the challenges of capturing deep-sky objects from my light-polluted backyard in London, I was determined to take on the task of photographing M81 and M82. With 2 hours and 12 minutes of data gathered so far, this image is still a work in progress, but I'm proud of the initial results.

As I continue with this project, my next step is to head out to a dark sky location to gather more data and refine the image further. But for now, I'm thrilled to have been able to capture the intricate structures and interplay between these two galaxies and share it with you all.

PS: Can you spot all the galaxies and nebulae captured in this image? Take a closer look and see if you can identify them all. I'm always amazed by the number of hidden gems that can be found in the cosmos, and I hope this image inspires you to explore the wonders of the universe.