M81, also designated NGC 3031, is a spiral galaxy located about 12 million light-years from Earth, in the constellation Ursa Major. M81 was first discovered by John Elbert Bode in 1774.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_81

ABOUT THE IMAGE

DATE/TIME:  The evening of October 26th and morning of the 27th, 2009

CAMERA:  Canon XSI, 450D

TELESCOPE:  Orion 100mm ED refractor @ F/18

ISO SETTING:  1600

EXPOSURES:  30

EXPOSURE LENGTH:  10min.

TOTAL EXPOSURE LENGTH:  5hrs.

CAPTURE SOFTWARE:  MaximDL

STACKING SOFTWARE:  Deep Sky Stacker

PROCESSING:  Photoshop CS3