Astronomy Astrophoto Gallery

M102 (NGC5866) - The Spindle Galaxy

templec — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:03:33 -0400

by: templec

Description: This galaxy, NGC5866, is a bit of a mystery. There is no galaxy at the coordinates that Charles Messier logged as M102 in 1781. It is likely that he duplicated his observation of M101. The galaxy in this image is the closest to Messier's coordinates and one of the likely candidates to be called M102. NGC5866 is either a lenticular or a spiral galaxy in the constellation Draco. Because of it's edge-on appearance, it is difficult to definitively tell if it is lenticular. The prominent dust disk would suggest it is not, as such a lane would be very unusual in a lenticular galaxy. It has an apparent magnitude of 10.70 and is approximately 50 million light-years distant. Telescope: Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Accessories: Celestron f/6.3 reducer/corrector; Dew control by Dew Buster� Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: TS-OAG9 Off-axis, using Orion StarShoot AutoGuider Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 39 x 480sec @ ISO 800 (5hr. 12min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja; Noel Carboni's Tools Date(s): May 3, 5 & 6, 2010 Temperature(s): N1:65�F; N2:77�F (dropped to 70�F); N3:77�F (dropped to 72�F) SQM reading (begin - end): N1:?; N2:19.13 - 19.26; N3:18.97 - 19.22 Moon data: n/a Location: Hendersonville, TN

4 comments

M88 (NGC4501)

templec — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 19:26:20 -0400

by: templec

Description: In 1781, Charles Messier spotted this magnitude 10.40 Sbc spiral galaxy in Coma Berenecies. Also known as NGC4501 and VCC1401, it is one of the 15 Messier objects that belongs to the Virgo Cluster of approximately 1300+ galaxies. It lies at a distance of approximately 47 million light-years from Earth. Telescope: Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Accessories: Celestron f/6.3 reducer/corrector; Dew control by Dew Buster� Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: TS-OAG9 Off-axis, using Orion StarShoot AutoGuider Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 50 x 480sec @ ISO 800 (6hr. 40min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja; Noel Carboni's Tools Date(s): April 14, 15 & 18, 2010 Temperature(s): N1:75�F (dropped to 68�F); N2:73�F (dropped to 66�F); N3:60�F (dropped to 54�F) SQM reading (begin - end): N1:18.52 - 18.82; N2:18.41 - 19.10; N3:19.00 - 18.90 Moon data: n/a Location: Hendersonville, TN

M61 (NGC4303) - The Swelling Spiral Galaxy

templec — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:53:16 -0400

by: templec

Description: M61 (NGC4303) is a magnitude 10.18 spiral galaxy located about 52 million light-years distant in the constellation Virgo. It was discovered on May 5, 1779 by Barnabus Oriani while searching for a comet. Charles Messier saw M61 this same night, but thougt it was the comet. After a few days of observing the object, he realized that it was not, in fact, the comet, but a nebula (which was later determined to be a galaxy). Telescope: Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Accessories: Celestron f/6.3 reducer/corrector; Dew control by Dew Buster� Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: TS-OAG9 Off-axis, using Orion StarShoot AutoGuider Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 38 x 480sec @ ISO 800 (5hr. 4min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja; Noel Carboni's Tools Date(s): April 11 & 12, 2010 Temperature(s): N1:65�F (dropped to 58�F); N2:67�F (dropped to 60�F) SQM reading (begin - end): N1:19.03 - 19.25; N2:18.77 - 19.15 Moon data: n/a Location: Hendersonville, TN

The Whale & The Hockey Stick Galaxies

templec — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:52:09 -0400

by: templec

Description: There are actually 4 galaxies in this image, the major members of the NGC4631 Group. NGC4631, the brightest at magnitude 9.80, is an edge-on spiral known as the Whale Galaxy. Just below, the magnitude 13.10 dwarf elliptical companion galaxy is NGC4627. Above right are a pair of strongly interacting galaxies known as the Hockey Stick. The "handle" is NGC4656 and the "blade" is NGC4657, together they are magnitude 10.40. Telescope: Astro Tech AT8IN 8� f/4 Newtonian Accessories: Baader MPCC Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66 Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 61 x 180s @ ISO 800 (3hr. 3min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, min/max averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja Date(s): April 6, 2010 Temperature(s): 77�F (dropped to 74�F) SQM reading (begin - end): 18.62 - 18.55 Location: Hendersonville, TN

4 comments

NGC4565 - The Needle Galaxy

templec — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:59:06 -0400

by: templec

Description: Approximately 20 million light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenecies, lies one of the best-known examples of an edge-on spiral galaxy. NGC4565, also known as The Needle Galaxy, is a magnitude 10.42 unbarred spiral galaxy (type SA(s)b) discovered in 1785 by Sir William Herschel. Many astronomers are amazed that Charles Messier missed this magnificent object. Telescope: Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Accessories: Celestron f/6.3 reducer/corrector; Dew control by Dew Buster� Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: TS-OAG9 Off-axis, using Orion StarShoot AutoGuider Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 42 x 480sec @ ISO 800 (5hr. 36min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja Date(s): April 9 & 10, 2010 Temperature(s): N1:58�F (dropped to 49�F); N2:63�F (dropped to 53�F) SQM reading (begin - end): N1:18.85 - 19.30; N2:19.03 - 19.30 Moon data: n/a Location: Hendersonville, TN

10 comments

Compact Galaxy Group Hickson 44

templec — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:16:54 -0400

by: templec

Description: This beautiful quartet of galaxies in Leo was cataloged by Canadian astronomer Paul Hickson as entry #44 in his Atlas of Compact Groups of Galaxies. From left to right in this image are NGC3193, a magnitude 11.80 elliptical, NGC3190, a magnitude 12.00 edge-on spiral, NGC3187, a magnitude 13.60 peculiar barred spiral and NGC3185, a magnitude 12.90 barred spiral. It is believed that these galaxies are close and gravitationally affecting each other. Telescope: 10� Orion Newtonian at f/4.7 Accessories: Baader MPCC Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66 Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 91 x 180sec @ ISO 800 (4hr. 33min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja Date(s): April 1 & 5, 2010 Temperature(s): N1:72�F (dropped to 68�F); N2:79�F (dropped to 73�F) SQM reading (begin - end): N1:18.59 - 18.84; N2:18.60 - 19.14 Location: Hendersonville, TN

NGC2403 - annotated

templec — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:17:16 -0400

by: templec

Description: This is an image of NGC2403 that has been annotated to show Supernova SN 2004dj. For image details click this [url=http://www.astrophotogallery.org/galaxies/p5285-ngc2403.html][/url]

4 comments

NGC2403

templec — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:37:52 -0400

by: templec

Description: NGC2403 is a magnitude 8.90 spiral galaxy approximately 8 million light years distant in the constellation Camelopardalis. Noteworthy is its H II nucleus. Discovered in 1788 by William Herschel, NGC2403 is a distant member of the M81 Group. Visible in this image is supernova SN 2004dj, discovered by Koichi Itagaki on July 31, 2004. Telescope: Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Accessories: Celestron f/6.3 reducer/corrector; Dew control by Dew Buster� Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66 Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 93 x 300sec @ ISO 800 (7hr. 45min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja; Noel Carboni's Tools Date(s): March 26, 30 & 31, 2010 Temperature(s): N1:48�F (dropped to 45�F); N2:59�F (dropped to 52�F); N3:70�F (dropped to 63�F) SQM reading (begin - end): N1:17.12 - 17.23; N2:18.49 - 18.25; N3:18.64 - 18.50 Moon data: N1: 88% illuminated, 59� angular separation; N2: 98% illuminated, 101� angular separation; N3: 94% illuminated, 111� angular separation Location: Hendersonville, TN

M94 (NGC4736) - The Cat's Eye Galaxy

templec — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:02:41 -0400

by: templec

Description: M94 (NGC4736) is a colorful magnitude 8.99 spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. What makes this galaxy interesting, is the presence of 2 ring structures. The inner ring appears to be an active star-forming region, while the outer may be an accretion disk. It was discovered in 1781 by Pierre M�chain and cataloged by Charles Messier only 2 days later. Telescope: Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Accessories: Celestron f/6.3 reducer/corrector; Dew control by Dew Buster� Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66 Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 101 x 180sec @ ISO 1600 (5hr. 3min.); 31 x 120sec @ ISO 400 (1hr. 2min.) for the core Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja Date(s): March 18 & 23, 2010 Temperature(s): N1:58�F (dropped to 54�F); N2:59�F (dropped to 50�F) SQM reading (begin - end): N1:n/a; N2:18.21 - 18.90 Moon data: n/a Location: Hendersonville, TN

M106 (NGC4258)

templec — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:50:39 -0400

by: templec

Description: M106 (NGC4258) is a magnitude 9.10 spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. It was discovered in 1781 by Pierre M�chain and lies approximately 22-25 million light years distant. Being a Seyfert II galaxy, M106 likely contains a supermassive black hole at its center. Also visible in this image, above left of M106, is NGC4248, an edge-on barred spiral galaxy. Telescope: Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Accessories: Celestron f/6.3 reducer/corrector; Dew control by DewBuster Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66 Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 134 x 180sec @ ISO 1600 (6hr. 42min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja, Noel Carboni's Tools Date(s): March 6 & 11, 2010 Temperature(s): N1:46�F (dropped to 32�F); N2:59�F (dropped to 50�F) SQM reading (begin - end): N1:18.79 - 19.10; N2:18.81 - 19.16 Moon data: n/a Location: Hendersonville, TN

M109 annotated

templec — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:19:57 -0500

by: templec

Description: Here is an annotated version of M109. We labeled the nine faint fuzzies we captured in this image.

2 comments

M109 (NGC3992)

templec — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:00:50 -0500

by: templec

Description: M109 (NGC3992) is a magnitude 10.60 barred spiral galaxy that is approximately 46 million light years distant in the constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered in 1781 by Pierre M�chain, and again in 1783 by Charles Messier when he added it as entry number 109 in his famous catalog. Telescope: Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Accessories: Celestron f/6.3 reducer/corrector Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66 Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 122 x 300sec @ ISO 800 (10hr. 15min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja, Noel Carboni's Tools Date(s): March 4 & 5, 2010 Temperature(s): N1:41�F (dropped to 36�F); N2:41�F (dropped to 31�F) SQM reading (begin - end): N1:18.45 - 18.90; N2:18.32 - 19.17 Location: Hendersonville, TN

2 comments

M108

templec — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:15:59 -0500

by: templec

Description: M108 (NGC3556) is a magnitude 10.20 barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major. From Earth, we are viewing this galaxy edge-on. It was discovered in 1781 by Pierre M�chain. Telescope: Celestron C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain Accessories: Celestron f/6.3 reducer/corrector Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66 Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 82 x 180sec @ ISO 800 (4hr. 6min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja, Noel Carboni's Tools Date(s): February 25, 2010 Temperature(s): 32�F (dropped to 25�F) SQM reading (begin - end): 17.01 - 17.20 Moon data: Waxing gibbous, 90% illumination, 50� angular separation from target Location: Hendersonville, TN

M81 & M82 - Bode's and Cigar Galaxies

templec — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:10:04 -0500

by: templec

Description: Messier 81 (NGC3031), or Bode's Galaxy, is the largest in a group of 34 galaxies known as the M81 Group. At a mere 11.7 million light years distant, it is one of the closest galaxy groups to the Local Group, which contains our own Milky Way. M81 was discovered in 1774 by Johann Elert Bode and is easily seen at a magnitude of 6.94. Bode's Galaxy is caught in a gravitational struggle with nearby M82 (NGC3034), the Cigar Galaxy. M82 displays violently rapid star formation that is thought to be the result of intense gravitational deformation caused by it's neighbor, M81. In spite of this star formation, The Cigar is slightly dimmer, at a magnitude of 8.41. Telescope: Astro Tech AT8IN 8� f/4 Newtonian Accessories: Baader MPCC Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66 Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 59 x 240s @ ISO 800 (3hr. 56min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja, Noel Carboni's Tools Date(s): February 19, 2010 Temperature(s): 42�F (dropped to 37�F) SQM reading (begin - end): 18.85 - cloudy skies Location: Hendersonville, TN

3 comments

NGC3718, NGC3729, and Hickson 56

templec — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:22:56 -0500

by: templec

Description: NGC3718 (Arp 214) is a magnitude 10.70 "S-shaped" peculiar galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major. It is likely being warped or distorted by the nearby magnitude 12.00 galaxy NGC3729 (at left in this image). Below NGC3718 is 5 interacting galaxies collectively known as Hickson 56 (Arp 322). Telescope: 10� Orion Newtonian at f/4.7 Accessories: Baader MPCC Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66 Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 37 x 300sec @ ISO 800 (3hr. 5min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a � Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja, Noel Carboni's Tools Date(s): February 18, 2010 Temperature(s): 35�F (dropped to 30�F) SQM reading (begin - end): 18.90 - 19.25 Location: Hendersonville, TN

6 comments

M33 - The Triangulum Galaxy

templec — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:57:43 -0400

by: templec

Description: M33 is a magnitude 6.27 spiral galaxy lying about 3 million light-years away in the constellation Triangulum. It was cataloged by Charles Messier in 1784, but was possibly discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna in 1654. The Triangulum Galaxy is known to contain many huge H-II regions - one being the largest known. Telescope: Astro Tech AT8IN 8� f/4 Newtonian Accessories: Baader MPCC Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66 Camera: Self-modified Canon Digital Rebel XT Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 98 x 240s @ ISO 800 (6hr. 32min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.75 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.75 � Calibrated, registered, Sigma-clipped averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja, Noel Carboni's Tools Date(s): October 18 & 19, 2009 Temperature(s): 45�F, 53�F SQM reading (begin - end): 18.76 � 19.35 mags./sq. arcsec Location: Hendersonville, TN

6 comments

M31 - The Great Andromeda Galaxy

templec — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:15:47 -0400

by: templec

Description: Perhaps our nearest spiral galaxy, The Great Andromeda Galaxy will, one day, collide with our own Milky Way. At magnitude 4.4, it's central core is easily visible to the naked eye on a moonless night. The earliest known observation of this galaxy was in 964 by the Persian astronomer Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi, and was cataloged by Charles Messier in 1764 as M31. Telescope: Orion 80ED f/7.5 refractor (at f/6) Accessories: William Optics 0.8x FR/FF vII Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66 Camera: Self-modified Canon Digital Rebel XT Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip Exposure: 92 x 240sec @ ISO 800 (6hr. 8min.) Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.75 Camera Control Processing: ImagesPlus 3.75 � Calibrated, registered, Sigma-clipped averaged, DDP Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja, Noel Carboni's Tools Date#s): September 28 & 29, 2009 Temperature(s): 64�F, 60�F Location: Hendersonville, TN

14 comments

M49 - Annotated

templec — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:08:42 -0400

by: templec

Description: Scope: Orion ED80 @ f/7.5 Mount: Atlas EQ-G w/EQMOD Camera: Canon 350D (self-modified) w/ Astronomik UV/IR EOS clip-in filter + 2" Hutech IDAS LPS Exposures: Best 58/63 x 180s; Best 29/48 150s @ ISO 1600 Captured: May 30, May 31, and June 5, 2009 Location: Hendersonville, TN

M49 and The "Lost Galaxies"

templec — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:04:22 -0400

M104 - The Sombrero Galaxy

templec — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:10:59 -0400

by: templec

Description: A bit challenging due to it being low in the SE to SSE. I was not able to attempt this until last night, since I convinced my neighbor to cut down the tree that blocked my view to the south! Click image for a larger view Celestron C8 at f/6.3 Atlas EQ-G w/EQMOD, guided Canon 350D (self-modified) w/Astronomik EOS Clip IR filter + 2" IDAS LPS Best 22/30 120s @ ISO 1600 + Best 23/24 150s @ ISO 1600 + 20 180s @ ISO 1600

The Annotated Markarian's Chain

templec — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:13:25 -0400

by: templec

Description: Had a little fun identifying the galaxies in our recent picture. Click image for a larger size

4 comments

NGC3521

templec — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:30:04 -0400

by: templec

Description: NGC3521 is a magnitude 8.9 spiral galaxy in Leo. This image is 2.5 hours total exposure time taken on March 19, 2009. The temperature was 55� F.

M96 in Leo

templec — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:25:20 -0400

by: templec

Description: Messier 96 is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Leo. Together with M95 and M105, these three galaxies form the Leo Galaxy Group. This image is over 6.5 hours total exposure time taken over 3 separate nights; March 16, 19 and 20, 2009. The temperatures were 54� F, 67� F and 51� F respectively

The Leo Trio

templec — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:25:59 -0500

by: templec

Description: These three galaxies form the Leo Trio. NGC3628 is the larger & fainter of the 3, with a very apparent dust lane through the center. This image was taken over three nights, February 5 & 6, and March 1, 2009. It is a total of 4 hours exposure time. The temperatures were 32� F, 49� F & 30� F, respectively. Orion 80ED (f/7.5) Atlas EQ-G w/EQMOD Guided with Orion SSAG on WO ZS66 using PHD Canon 350D (self-modified) w/2" Baader UV/IR cutoff filter 80 x 180s @ ISO 1600

M82 - The Cigar Galaxy

templec — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:29:13 -0500

by: templec

Description: M82 is an edge-on spiral galaxy in Ursa Major, yielding it's nickname - The Cigar Galaxy. M81, a very close neighbor may have had some influence on distorting M82 such that it is sometimes classified as an irregular galaxy. This image is 4 hours total exposure time, taken on February 23, 2009. The temperature was 35� F. Celestron C8 SCT at f/6.3 Atlas EQ-G w/EQMOD Guided with Orion 80ED using PHD Canon 350D (self-modified) w/2" Baader UV/IR cutoff filter 81 x 180s @ ISO 1600

NGC2903

templec — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:10:28 -0500

by: templec

Description: NGC2903 is a young, barred spiral galaxy in Leo. At magnitude 8.9, it is remarkable that Messier didn't catalog this galaxy. This image is just over 3.5 hours total exposure time, taken over 2 nights, February 16 and 19, 2009. The temperatures were 35� F & 29� F, respectively. Celestron C8 SCT at f/6.3 Atlas EQ-G w/EQMOD Guided with Orion 80ED using PHD Canon 350D (self-modded) w/2" Baader UV/IR cutoff filter 63 x 210s @ ISO 1600

M95 Barred spiral in Leo

templec — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:10:57 -0500

by: templec

Description: This image is just over 5 hours of exposure time taken over 3 nights, February 14, 15 and 16, 2009. The temperatures were 36� F, 36� F and 33� F, respectively. Also visible below and to the right, is very faint (magnitude 16.23) galaxy PGC031984. Celestron C8 f/6.3 Canon 350d (self-modified) + 2" Baader UV/IR cutoff filter Guided with SSAG on Orion 80ED 21 x 180s & 69 x 210s @ ISO 1600

M81 - Bode's Galaxy

templec — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:13:04 -0500

by: templec

Description: Discovered in 1774 by Johann Bode, M81 is a striking spiral galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major. This image is a total of 8 hours and 45 minutes total exposure time taken over 3 separate nights: January 8,9 and 11, 2009. We were fighting a near-full moon all 3 nights. The temperatures were 32�, 50� and 31� F respectively.

1 comment

M74 - The Phantom

templec — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:54:27 -0500

by: templec

Description: M74 (NGC628) is a face-on spiral galaxy in Pisces. This is our first image taken in the C8. A difficult object, having the lowest surface brightness of the Messier objects. A little over 2.5 hours of exposure time acquired on November 21, 2008. The temperature started out at 30� F and dropped to about 24� F by the time we finished.

1 comment

M31 Andromeda Galaxy

templec — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:13:15 -0500

by: templec

Description: M31 galaxy in Andromeda. Just left of center, at the outer edge of M31 is a satellite galaxy, M32. Below and to the right is M110. 2.5 hours of exposure time acquired on October 25, 2008. The temperature was 54� F. A marked improvement from our first attempt, however, we will likely revisit this object again.

1 comment

M33 Reprocessed

templec — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:25:26 -0500

by: templec

Description: M33 Spiral Galaxy in Triangulum. 7 hours total acquired over 2 nights, November 2 & 4, 2008. The temperature was 57� F & 60� F, respectively. Tammy reprocessed this image to get some additional detail and contrast.

M33 Spiral Galaxy in Triangulum

templec — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:57:50 -0500

by: templec

Description: M33 Spiral Galaxy in Triangulum. 7 hours total acquired over 2 nights, November 2 & 4, 2008. The temperature was 57� F & 60� F, respectively. Coming off of daylight savings time really helps!!

1 comment