M31 - Andromeda Galaxy

The Andromeda Galaxy (M31), our closest neighbor at 2.5 million lightyears distance. This is my first decent project outside our own galaxy, shot with LRGB plus Ha channels (to reveal some of the nebula in the spiral arms). This galaxy is slightly (25...50%) larger than the Milky Way and on collision course! But it will be a few billion years before that happens. Also part of this image are the much smaller neighboring galaxies M32 (just above the core) and M110 (below Andromeda). The data for this image was recorded in two consecutive nights for a total of 4 hours and 20 minutes exposure time.

M33 - Triangulum Galaxy

The Triangulum Galaxy is the third largest member of our Local Group (after the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way) with ~40 billion stars. It is "only" 3 Million Light Years away and can be found in the constellation of Triangulum.

M81/M82 - Bode's and Cigar Galaxies

Bode's Galaxy (M81, lower Left side in image) is a spiral galaxy in the cionstellation of Ursa Major 12 million light years distant. Its neighbor, the Cigar Galaxy (M81) is a starburst galaxy viewed from the side. The starburst activity is thought to have been triggered by gravitational interaction with the close-by Bode's Galaxy.

M101 - Pinwheel Galaxy

The Pinwheel Galaxy is larger than our Milky Way with estimated 1 trillion stars! It can be found in the constellation of Ursa Major and is ~ 21 million light years away. This image was captured with LRGB+Ha data.

M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy

The majestic Whirlpool Galaxy (constellation Canes Venatici, 31 million light years distant) is a so-called grand-design spiral galaxy. There is quite a bit of star formation happening in its arms. A smaller galaxy, NGC5195, is passing behind M51(a) and interacting gravitationally with it.

M13 - The Great Hercules Cluster

At a distance of approx. 24.000 lightyears and a diameter of 125 light years, this globular cluster contains serevarl 100.000 stars! It is one of over a hunderd such clusters to orbit the center of our galaxy.