M101 is a large face on multiple spiral barred galaxy in Ursa Major ( The Plough ) .

M101 / Galaxy, type SB M
R.A.	14h 03m 26.437s (2000.0)
Dec.	+54° 19' 22.76" (2000.0)
Apparent Size	28.5 x 28.3''
Radial Velocity	241 km/s
Magnitude	+7.72
Distance	20-26 million light years
Group of Galaxies	m101 group
Other IDs	UGC8981, NGC 5457,PGC50063 UGC 6937,MCG 9-23-28

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Scope	135mm Canon Lens
Mount	Vixen GP-DX unguided
Exposure	80 mins total , 80 x 1 min unguided.
Post-processing	AA3, Dark framed,gradient removed.
Filters	IR
Camera	Starlight Express hx516
Location	Claines Top Observatory
Date	11th April 2005

First attempt at using a standard canon SLR lens attached to my hx516. The Astrovid adaptor had to be lathed down such that the focal point could be reached. Very happy with this shot & will be able to image M31 , M33 , M42 , the virgo cluster & others in one shot.
I had to 1/2 close the shutter manually, as too much light caused the stars to seriously pinch on one side.
No sharpening or any post processing on this image. Weather cool , no moon, seeing average until the clouds rolled in.

The negative image shows a few local fainter galaxies in the M101 group.

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Scope	8" Intes Micro MN-86 with 0.5 Focal reducer
Mount	EQ6 unguided
Exposure	33 mins total , 100 x 20 sec
Post-processing	AA3, Dark framed,gradient removed, gentle DDP
Filters	IR
Camera	Starlight Express hx516 with ICX424AL chip
Location	Claines
Date	11th July 2005

This was one of the calibration shots used in first light with the new MN-86. Poor polar alignment capability on the EQ6 ( no RA markings and skyscan still in the post ) resulted in only being able to take 20 sec subframes , and then the clouds rolled in, so the stacking does include frames I would not normally use.