Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Ursa Major (UMa)  ·  Contains:  Bode's Galaxy  ·  M 81  ·  NGC 3031  ·  NGC 3077
M81 and NGC 3077, Michael Feigenbaum
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M81 and NGC 3077

M81 and NGC 3077, Michael Feigenbaum
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M81 and NGC 3077

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Description

Here we have a try at M81 framed together with NGC3077.  Surely, an iconic galaxy that everybody wants to have in their gallery.  Not going to put a bunch of information here about M81 because I think most are very familiar with it.  But NGC3077 is an interesting irregular galaxy that has been influenced by the gravitational attraction of nearby galaxies.  It has been determined to have an active nucleus and was included in Carl Seyfert's list of galaxies.  However, after further analysis in intervening years it is no longer classified as a Seyfert.  (paraphrased from Wikipedia entry).

I did this particular image using an 81mm WO refractor to see what it could do with a subject like this.  What I was able to pull out of this was actually quite a bit more than I was expecting with a small refractor.  I had hoped to get some IFN or galactic cirrus but shooting this into the Phoenix, AZ light dome made that very difficult.  Interestingly, if I overstretch it, I can see quite a bit but it is nothing I can use for a final image.  I also played a bit with both the Generalized Hyperbolic Stretch script in Pixinsight by Mike Cranfield and David Payne and the continuum subtraction process of Vicent Peris, et al.

In my experience, these techniques do indeed have a learning curve so this image represents my initial efforts with both.  I think these have a lot of value and great potential for me.  Once I have some time and experience with them, I believe they will help me make better images.

I hope you like this one and C&C encouraged!  CS and Good Health...

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