ROAST ::

June 26/27. The second attempt at M31. After moving the scope I managed to start earlier and get more frames:

Despite some slight haze in the air, it’s a definite improvement. Upped the gain to 80. An oddity: despite being targeted in the same fashion as the previous attempt, from the Mini’s atlas, the framing is slightly different. Not sure what caused that.

Details:
Target: M 31 (NGC 224), Andromeda Galaxy
Time: 2026-06-27 01:17..02:43
Equipment: Dwarf Mini, Astro filter
Integration: 70mins (141×30secs, +4 failures), gain 80
Conditions: Clear but slight haze, Bortle 6
Processing: PhotoDesk equalisation, gamma

While waiting for M 31, I tried out C 19, the Cocoon Nebula. This is a small emission nebula in Cygnus, illuminated by the central star. Of interest is the dark area stretching to the right side of the image, which is a dark lane of dust; it’s probably not associated with the nebula.

Details:
Target: C 19 (IC 5146, Sh 2-125, Barnard 168), Cocoon Nebula
Time: 2026-06-26 22:59..01:01
Equipment: Dwarf Mini, Duo-Band filter
Integration: 95mins (191×30secs, +15 failures), gain 80
Conditions: Clear but slight haze, Bortle 6
Processing: PhotoDesk equalisation, gamma

And so to bed…