A galaxy and an asteroid.

I don't think I have attempted to capture Ceres before but here we have it by chance as I put the new scope through it's paces on galaxy season. I was going to continue with my M95 project previously posted when I scrolled around Stellarium to see Ceres placed in the frame with M100. After a few lunar captures earlier I set an autorun for a few hours of data. Having a few calibration frame issues with the Flats not working properly, had a similar issue last year but a new set of flats with a higher ADU value solved the problem.

So here we have a massive crop of the original frame to show the beautiful M100 in all it's spiral glory. 

A few details on Ceres.

The largest of the catalogued asteroids at just under a 1000km in diameter, Ceres roams the solar system at an average distance of 400 million Km's. Ceres was discovered in 1801 after the prediction of another body between Mars & Jupiter.

M101

M101 is relatively large 70% larger in comparison to our own galaxy. Lying approx 21 Million light years away. With over 3000 HII regions the galaxy is undergoing massive star formation.
My Image Is just 36 minutes composed of 12 x 3 minute unguided exposures at Iso 1600. Time was approaching 1.00am and some light cloud was approaching. I am always amazed at how much detail is captured on such a short lenth of exposure. I cant wait to get more!