June 2005

The Whirlpool galaxy, Messier 51. A stunning and bright galaxy just visible as a small smudge in binoculars becomes this wonderful view with even a small telescope. This image is probably the best I have taken using the 0.5 Metre Reflector at COAA (Algarve) and is a 3 minute exposure using COAA's Canon 300D Digital SLR and using the telescope as the lens. My thanks to Bev Ewen-Smith at COAA for operating the shutter whilst I guided the telescope, tracking the stars.