Dave's Astrophotography

Three galaxies in the constellation Leo: M66 (NGC 3627, left top), M65 (NGC 3623, left bottom), and NGC 3628 (right). Distance is approximately 35 million light-years (approx. 22 million lyr for M65).

Shot 20 June 2009; Rock Springs Parking Lot, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, California; ISO 800, Exp 18x2.5m, f/5.2, Canon EOS 5D & Televue NP127is. Calibration, alignment, & stacking with Images Plus 3.0; other post-processing with Photoshop CS4.

The M81 galaxy (NGC 3031, Bode’s Galaxy) and its companion M82 (NGC 3034, Cigar Galaxy) in Ursa Major. Distance is 12 million light-years.

Shot 30 May 2009; Rock Springs Parking Lot, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, California; ISO 800, Exp 22x2.5m, f/5.2, Canon EOS 5D & Televue NP127is. Calibration, alignment, & stacking with Images Plus 3.0; other post-processing with Photoshop CS4.

The M51 Whirlpool Galaxy (NGC 5194) and its companion galaxy NGC 5195 in the constellation Canes Venatici. Distance is 23 million light-years.

Shot 24 May 2009; Rock Springs Parking Lot, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, California; ISO 800, Exp 23x2.5m, f/5.2, Canon EOS 5D & Televue NP127is. Calibration, alignment, & stacking with Images Plus 3.0; other post-processing with Photoshop CS4.

Click here for a wider field of view (1 MB).

NGC 869 and NGC 884: the double open cluster in the constellation Perseus.

Shot 27 September 2008; Rock Springs Parking Lot, Mt. Tamalpais State Park; ISO 800, Exp 6x2m, f/5.2, Canon EOS 5D & Televue NP127is. Calibration, alignment, & stacking with Images Plus 3.0; other post-processing with Photoshop CS2.

Reshoot of the Andromeda Galaxy with flat frames. Also from a new dark sky location at Lake Sonoma Recreation Area

Shot 29 August 2008; Lake Sonoma, CA; ISO 800, Exp 9x5m, f/5.2, Canon EOS 5D & Televue NP127is.