Andromeda galaxy (M31) - deepest image with O3 arc

399 hours of integration

Published by Imran Badr on Nov 28, 2025

Our galactic neighbor, the Andromeda galaxy (M31) is one of the most widely and studied object. Even then an stunning discovery was made by amateur Astrophotographers where they discovered a faint O3 arc. This is my attempt to recreate that discovery with deepest narrowband image ever done by a single astrophotographer. With over 399 hours of integration, this image not only shows that amazing O3 arc, but also the deepest image of the nebulae in the andromeda galaxy’s arms.

Equipment and Acquisition

Dates: Aug 2024 - Nov 2025
Telescopes:
Askar FRA 300 pro
Sharpstar 13028 HNT

Mounts:
2xZWO AM3 x2

Camera:
ZWO ASI2600MM Pro x2
ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

Filters:
Antlia 2.5nm S,H,O
Antlia 3nm Highspeed O3, and Ha

Exposures:
broadband: 4h49m30s
Ha: 215h35m (300s, 600s)
S2: 46h35m (300s, 600s)
O3: 132h50m (300s, 600s)

Total Integration: 399h49m30s

Software: PixInsight, Photoshop