AstroBin saves small pieces of text information (cookies) on your device in order to deliver better content and for statistical purposes. You can disable the usage of cookies by changing the settings of your browser. By browsing AstroBin without changing the browser settings, you grant us permission to store that information on your device.
I agreeImaging telescope or lens:CELESTRON C8 XLT 2032mm F/10
Imaging camera:ZWO ASI 183MM
Mount:Celestron ADVANCED VX
Guiding telescope or lens:ZWO 60mm f/4.6 Guidescope
Guiding camera:QHYCCD 5L-IIm
Focal reducer:Celestron f/6.3 Focal Reducer/Corrector
Software:Main Sequence Software Seqence Generator Pro 3, Open Source PHD2 Guiding, DeepSkyStacker (DSS) 4.1.1 64bit, Ivo Jager StarTools 1.4
Filter:ZWO 1.25" LRGB
Accessories:AstroZap Dew Heater, AstroZap Dew Heater - 8 Inch Telescopes View (AZ-708)
Resolution: 5370x3510
Frames:
ZWO Blue 1.25": 25x256"
ZWO Green 1.25": 25x256"
ZWO Luminance 1.25": 73x256"
ZWO Red 1.25": 25x256"
Integration: 10.5 hours
Darks: ~50
Flats: ~50
Bias: ~50
Astrometry.net job: 2677988
RA center: 210.800 degrees
DEC center: 54.392 degrees
Pixel scale: 0.380 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: 180.923 degrees
Field radius: 0.339 degrees
Data source: Backyard
A face-on grand-design spiral galaxy 21 million light years away in Ursa Major. This galaxy measures 170,000 light years across.
The asymmetric grand-design spiral structure that puts the core of the galaxy off-center is caused by interactions with companion galaxies not in frame.
Aside from angular immensity in the sky and beautiful large-scale spiral structure, the galaxy is known for prominent HII regions. A 1990 survey cataloged more than 1,200. Several of these were prominent enough to receive their own NGC designations. These show clearly as bright nebulous regions within the galaxy.
To the left of the image, lenticular galaxy PGC 49919 just barely makes it into the image.
This data set was certainly a challenge to work with. To ensure the galaxy wasn't destroyed by stacking artifacts, I had to stick to an extremely small dithering profile which introduced a diagonal grid of patterned noise. Getting the stars to look right was also difficult with this one, and while many look okay, the vast majority simply aren't there (One star is literally a magenta ring with a monochrome hole in the middle). But, despite difficulty and tearing through several revisions, I present my image of Messier 101.
Comments