M31 - a tricky four pane mosaic

[RobertM]

Am still not happy with this (it's gradient city!) but I might give it another go sometime, perhaps with some data that isn't compromised as a mosaic is.  This has been such a tricky one to merge the frames without artifacts but there are still some plus a whole load of strange faint gradients.



4k Resolution
6k Resolution

Full size is 9000 x6000

Capture details:
Telescope: Takahashi FSQ85 EDX with 1.01 flattener
Mount: ZWO AM5 + TC40
Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro
Guiding: f/4 guidescope + ASI120MM

Integration: 300s subframes (19+18+19+19) = 6.25h total (90-95 mins/panel).
Filter: none
Date: 13-15th September 2023
Location: La Pouge, France
Bortle: 2
Processing: Flats and Bias frames stacking and processing in Pixinsight.

[Carole]

That's beautiful Robert, crikey a four pane mosaic, hard work.  That deep blue star looks well controlled, that's a difficult one.

What kit did you use, and length of subs etc? Also total imaging time? 
Was it taken from home, if so this is extremely good for Orpington and your partcular location?

Carole

[Carole]

Ah yes, that makes sense.  Those AM5 mounts look the business, but jolly expensive. 
Also I did think it was a tall order to get from Orpington, but seeing Roberto's results, you just never know.

Thanks for the info.  Wish members would use the forum more.

Carole

[Dave A]

Robert
That is a lovely image- Bortle 2 you were lucky, I know there are laws in France about light pollution and many lights are turned off or dimmed down when it gets dark
I expect on a cloudless night there, the view of the Milky Way is spectacular 

[RobertM]

Thank you Dave, you know when it's a truly dark site when the clouds are lit from above by a planet (in this case Jupiter or Venus if I remember correctly).  Of course to see the Milky Way it has to be relatively cloudless and that is always the main issue.