M101 is a beautiful face-on, spiral galaxy in Ursa Major. Although the total magnitude is a relatively bright 7.5, the large size of the galaxy makes it a difficult object for smaller telescopes if the skies less that perfect. It is visible as an eliptical patch of light in an 8" telescope, while a 12" begins to show some hints of spiral structure.

Combination of 5, 180 second images. Modified Canon Digital Rebel DSLR camera.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

Combination of 10, 3 minute images each with red, green and blue filters.
SBIG ST-9XE CCD. 5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

Combination of 120 minutes red, 120 minutes green and 150 minutes blue, using 1 minute and 3 minute sub-exposures.
SBIG ST-8XE CCD. 5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

Combination of 20, 3 minute images unfiltered,
and 10, 3 minute images each through red, green, and blue filters.
SBIG ST-9XE CCD. 10" f/6.3 schmidt-cassegrain at prime focus.

Combination of 37, 2 minute images.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 16" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain at prime focus.

Combination of 5, 3 minute images unfiltered.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

In late August of 2011, a bright supernova erupted in M101, SN 2011fe. At its brightest it was easily visible in small telescopes, the third such supernova in 2011.

Combination of 30, 1 minute images unfiltered and 5, 3 minute images using red, green and blue filters.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain at prime focus.

The supernova in M101 on September 17, 2011. The supernova is the bright bluish star to below and slightly to the right of the nucleus of the galaxy.

I followed the supernova for about a year as it faded. More images and the resulting lightcurve are here.