Welcome to Orion-Telescopes astronomy forum, where we discuss not only all products and topics related to Orion, but any other brands, types or models of telescope that you have or we know about; all types of telescopes and discussions are welcome here on anything relating to telescopes, optics, eyepieces, astronomy, theory, physics or of the general group interest. We touch all bases and are considered an excellent reference forum for a vast array of sound information that few groups can match, as well as a very interesting and diverse member base.

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Shown here: The beautiful Springtime pinwheel galaxy M101 in the northern constellation of the Great Bear, discovered in 1781 by Paul Mechain. Being of low surface brightness due to its being face-on and rather large (about 20 minutes of arc diameter), it was described by Admiral Smyth in 1844 as being "seemingly caused by a vast agglomeration of stars whose paleness tells of inconceivable distance. . ."

Moving away from us at over 250 miles per second, M101 is about 15 million light-years away. This Sc type spiral is slightly smaller than our own Milky Way, but appears to only have about 10% of the mass, and is one of the bluest galaxies known, being comprised chiefly of Population I stars.

This image (center-cropped for better presentation here) taken by Michel Fleureau from Castres in Southern France using the Orion 8-inch f/5 newt at prime focus and SSAG/Ph.D. on an Atlas EQ-G mount, using a stock Canon EOS 450D, MPCC Baader coma-corrector, and an Astronomik CLS light pollution filter. He used IP 3.80, PS8, and Noiseware for post-processing.

Exposure: 128 minutes (32 X 240 second)