M 106

Captured by MD Shahadat Hossain Shahal, Processed by Iman Sheikh

Astrophotography information

Astrophotography MD Shahadat Hossain Shahal
Observing location USA, Nevada (37.978845,-114.856567)
Exposure time 120 min.
Telescope Takahashi Epsilon 250 (iTelescope – T05), 250/ 850 mm
Camera SBIG ST-10XME
Field of view (resolution) 59.8 x 40.3 arcmin(1.64 arcsec)
Image processing Iman Sheikh
Image processing method Step 1 Preprocessing/Stacking With Siril
– Used (erikwestermann-lrgb-preproc.ssf) Script for staking.

Step 2 Linear Processing With Graxpert
– Cropping
– Background Extraction
– Deconvolution
– Denoising

Step 3 Linear Processing and Stretching With Siril
– Astrometry – Image plate solver
– Spectrophotometric Color Calibration
– Starnet – Separated stars from galaxy
– Stretching – Generalized Hyperbolic Stretch

Step 4 Non-Linear Processing in GIMP
– Saturation and color adjustments
– Unsharp mask for detail
– Curves – Fine control of brightness and contrast

Astrophysical information

Object type Spiral galaxy
Constellation Canes Venatici
Distance 23.7 Mly
Angular size 18.6 × 7.2 arcmin
Physical size 135 Kly
Apparent magnitude 8.4
Eyes GalaxiesWinnecke 4