At a glance, this latest capture of M31 may evoke a sense of déjà vu, especially if you recall my previous share of the Ha M31 with the unique spiral core (
https://www.astrobin.com/dhtge2/). True, the foundational imagery is similar, but there's a novel element this time: the presence of OIII emissions, which were absent previously.
The intriguing spiral pattern I anticipated revealing with the OIII data didn't emerge as I had hoped with the dataset at hand. Nonetheless, this rendition is distinguished by the incorporation of the OIII signals, meticulously integrated in a green hue for clarity. This choice avoids potential confusion with the inherent blue of RGB stars, aligning with the fact that OIII emissions naturally exhibit a bluish-green coloration.
And BTW I added a bit more Ha data to improve the resolution of the spiral core.
The green regions scattered throughout this portrait of M31 are presumed to be its planetary nebulae (PNs), lending an additional layer of fascination compared to my earlier post. To accentuate this image, I've also included an enhanced inset of the galaxy's core. This detail was processed distinctively, utilizing the continuum from a cropped R image specifically for the core, diverging from the R image processing applied to the larger field.
I invite you to delve into this updated celestial image—may it spark your curiosity or passion for the cosmos. As always, I eagerly await your thoughts, inquiries, and discussions.
Eric
Comments