Photographing the Andromeda Galaxy from a suburban sidewalk isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the most rewarding projects I’ve taken on. Over several clear nights in September and October 2025, I spent a total of 12 hours sitting outside on the concrete in Phoenixville, collecting enough data to do this galaxy justice.

All of the equipment I used is listed on my gear page, but the core of the setup included:

• Astro-Tech AT65Q refractor, which delivered a flat, sharp field perfect for a wide target like M31.

• ZWO ASI533MC Pro, a clean and reliable OSC camera that handled long exposures well.

• Sky-Watcher EQ-AL55i Pro mount, which tracked smoothly through long sessions despite the occasional sidewalk vibration.

• ZWO ASIAIR Mini, which kept the entire workflow running efficiently through plate solving, guiding, and automation.

This compact rig has become my go‑to for deep‑sky imaging from home, and Andromeda was a great test of what it can do under suburban skies.

Phoenixville isn’t exactly a dark‑sky haven, but with enough integration time, Andromeda still shines through. Those 12 hours were spread across multiple nights, each one a mix of quiet tracking, passing headlights, and the occasional curious neighbor asking what I was doing. Sidewalk astrophotography has its quirks, but it also has a certain charm. It’s a reminder that you don’t need a remote observatory to capture something extraordinary.

Once the data was collected, I spent about 4 hours processing the final image in Siril. Siril handled the workflow beautifully, but Andromeda always demands patience. The bulk of that time went into:

• Removing gradients from local light pollution

• Preserving star color while enhancing the galaxy’s structure

• Carefully stretching the data to bring out dust lanes without blowing out the core.

In the end, the image reflects every hour spent on the sidewalk and every hour spent behind the screen. Capturing a neighboring galaxy from a small town sidewalk still feels a little unbelievable, and that’s exactly why I love this hobby.