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Takahashi Epsilon 160ED and ATIK 16200 M31 Andromeda galaxy

Richard Harris · 2025-08-22T11:06:52-05:00

At last, a stretch of clear skies allowed me to capture new data on M31, the Andromeda Galaxy , using the Takahashi Epsilon 160ED astrograph and a still very relivent camera - the ATIK 16200 using Astronomic filters Instrumentation Astrophotographer: Richard Harris Telescope: Takahashi Epsilon 160ED Camera: ATIK 16200 CCD Mount: Paramount MX+ Observatory: Technical Innovations 6' Home Dome Acquisition Software: NINA Guiding: William Optics 50mm guidescope with QHY 178 Imaging Parameters The dataset consists of 300-second subexposures in LRGB, with 15 subframes acquired per channel, yielding a total integration time of approximately 5 hours. Calibration, registration, and stacking were performed in PixInsight, with subsequent color balancing and fine-tuning completed in Photoshop.

Started by moonbeam on 8/22/2025 11:06:52 AM CST

moonbeam
Joined 6/24/2024 Loc: Mo, USA	Posted 8/22/2025 11:06:52 AM CST (Last edited 8/22/2025 1:43:10 PM CST) At last, a stretch of clear skies allowed me to capture new data on M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, using the Takahashi Epsilon 160ED astrograph and a still very relivent camera - the ATIK 16200 using Astronomic filters Instrumentation Astrophotographer: Richard Harris Telescope: Takahashi Epsilon 160ED Camera: ATIK 16200 CCD Mount: Paramount MX+ Observatory: Technical Innovations 6' Home Dome Acquisition Software: NINA Guiding: William Optics 50mm guidescope with QHY 178 Imaging Parameters The dataset consists of 300-second subexposures in LRGB, with 15 subframes acquired per channel, yielding a total integration time of approximately 5 hours. Calibration, registration, and stacking were performed in PixInsight, with subsequent color balancing and fine-tuning completed in Photoshop. Explorer of the cosmos, one photon at a time. I capture the universe with a collection of about 12 telescopes, including the SCA310, Astro-Physics 155 EDF Starfire, TEC 180FL, and Takahashi Epsilon 160ED, and my beloved FSQ-106EDX4. Paired with advanced imaging systems - including the medium-format ZWO ASI461MM and ASI6200MM Pro with Chroma filters - these precision instruments help me reveal the faint structures, rich colors, and extraordinary detail hidden in the night sky.
spazmagi
Joined 5/7/2024 Loc: Missouri, USA	Posted 8/22/2025 11:42:10 AM CST Very nice! The natural look is impressive and the optical resolution is solid. I'm not even sure how much more data would improve that composition, at least without pixel peeping Haha Amatuer Astrophotographer since 2020. Askar FRA600 - Skywatcher EQ6-R - ASI 1600MM Pro - Astronomik 6nm NB Filters William Optics Redcat 51 - Orion 102 ED