I cropped the previous M102 image and then used Topaz Gigapixel to blow it up x2. Trying Topaz Gigapixel on crops.
***********************************************************************************************************Messier 102 (M102), also known as the Spindle Galaxy, is an edge-on lenticular galaxy located in the northern constellation
Draco. The galaxy lies at a distance of 50 million light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 10.7. It has the designation NGC 5866 in the New General Catalogue.
The Spindle Galaxy occupies an area of 4.7 by 1.9 arc minutes of apparent sky, corresponding to a linear extension of about 60,000 light years. It is very difficult to see with binoculars, but easily visible in small telescopes, which show a thin, nebulous patch under good conditions. 4-inch telescopes show a bright elliptical nebulous patch with a brighter core, while 6-inch and 8-inch instruments reveal a halo of light and hints of the galaxy’s dark dust lane. Larger telescopes show the galaxy’s well-defined bright centre and more details of its structure.The Spindle Galaxy can be found east of the
Big Dipper, in the southern part of
Draco. It is located 4 degrees southwest of the magnitude 3.3 red giant star Iota Draconis, in the direction of
Alkaid, Eta Ursae Majoris, the star that marks the tip of the
Big Dipper‘s handle. The best time of year to observe M102 is during the spring. Observers north of latitude 35N can see the galaxy throughout the year as it is circumpolar and never sets below the horizon.
Comments