Revisited this with the color camera, I also used a hydrogen-alpha filter on my mono camera to bring out the star forming regions. Without setting out to do it I have proved to myself that using an unfiltered (basic uv+ir filter) mono camera to capture the detail (with an additional set to capture just Ha) and a color camera to get the color gives much better results with galaxies (at least in a short time frame). I suppose this means I need a second larger scope for galaxy season....
"The Andromeda Galaxy, also known as M31, is one of the nearest galaxies to the Milky Way and is the largest galaxy in our local group. It's located about 2.537 million light-years from Earth and is on a collision course with the Milky Way, expected to merge with it in about 4.5 billion years.
Key Features: Size and Structure: Andromeda is a spiral galaxy, much like the Milky Way, with a diameter of about 220,000 light years. It contains approximately one trillion stars, which is more than twice the number of stars in our own galaxy. Its massive spiral arms and the intense star formation activity within them are prominent features.
Core: The nucleus of the Andromeda Galaxy is unusual as it appears to have a double core, which might be the result of a past merger with another galaxy. The center is also believed to house a supermassive black hole, similar to the Milky Way.
Satellite Galaxies: Andromeda has several satellite galaxies, including M32 and M110, which are easily observable with amateur telescopes. These and other satellites are bound by Andromeda’s gravity and interact with it in complex ways.
Stellar Content: The galaxy's stellar population is diverse, with numerous young blue stars and older red stars. The rate of star formation in Andromeda is higher compared to the Milky Way, which contributes to its bright appearance when observed in the night sky.
Observation: It’s one of the few galaxies visible from Earth with the naked eye, appearing as a faint smudge of light under clear, dark skies. It's best viewed during Northern Hemisphere autumn months.
Interaction with the Milky Way:Andromeda and the Milky Way are predicted to collide and merge to form a new galaxy, often humorously referred to as "Milkomeda" or "Milkdromeda". This dramatic event, while monumental on a cosmic scale, is unlikely to affect individual stars within either galaxy due to the vast distances between them." --synthesized from various sources
Askar ACL200: 200mm f/4
ZWO ASI533MC Color Camera at -10C
60x90s rgb
Nikon 70-200mm 200mm f/2.8
ZWO ASI533MM Mono Camera at -10C
27x180s lum
11x600s ha
Guided on ZWO AM5
Processed with PixInsight, Ps
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