Imaging telescopes or lenses: TPO/GSO 6" f/6 Imaging Newtonian
Imaging cameras: Canon 1100D
Mounts: Sky-Watcher EQ-6 Pro
Guiding telescopes or lenses: ORION Mini guide 50mm
Guiding cameras: ORION SSAG
Software: GIMP 2.9.6 · Backyard EOS 3.1.16 · PHD2.6.4dev3 · Nebulosity 3.3.3 · Startools 1.3.5.289
Accessory: Baader MPCC
Dates:Oct. 17, 2017
Frames: 140x90" ISO800
Integration: 3.5 hours
Darks: ~16
Flats: ~50
Bias: ~50
Avg. Moon age: 27.29 days
Avg. Moon phase: 5.57%
Bortle Dark-Sky Scale: 6.00
Temperature: 10.00
Astrometry.net job: 1786229
RA center: 1h 42' 59"
DEC center: +13° 38' 31"
Pixel scale: 3.203 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: 188.974 degrees
Field radius: 0.700 degrees
Resolution: 1330x842
Data source: Backyard
NGC 660 is a representative of the rare class of galaxies known as polar ring galaxies. Galaxies of this type are thought to be the result either of a perpendicular collision of two galaxies or of a close pass that tidally strips material from one, which then forms a ring around the other. The central portion of NGC 660 is a lenticular galaxy. As many as 5% of lenticulars might have polar rings at some point in their lifetimes.
NGC 660 was well positioned in my skies during this imaging session to provide me with the opportunity to acquire 3.5 hours of integration time. I was not sure that this would be sufficient time to allow me to pull its ring out of the background light pollution. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much of the ring I was able to resolve.
Description: A couple of minor, cosmetic tweaks.
Uploaded: ...
Description: One more small, cosmetic change.
Uploaded: ...
Description: I used a different algorithm in Nebulosity (Colors in Motion) to stack the calibrated subs, and it produced a sharper image, with tighter stars.
Uploaded: ...
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