Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Messier 58-59-60 and many more Galaxies



This image shows 10 galaxies I identified in the constellation Virgo. By a closer look there are even many more there, but you need a magnified view to see them.
From left to right across the picture are:M60 (elliptic galaxy)at 55MLY with its companion NGC4647, lower in the image NGC4667, M59 (elliptic galaxy) 60 MLY, high up NGC4606 and NGC4607, M58 (spiral galaxy) at 68 MLY, lower - The Siamese Twins NGC4568 and NGC4567, finally a little higher up NGC4564. All NGCs are galaxies. In M60 there is a Black Hole with 3.4 billions solar masses.
15 subs each 9 min, ISO800 with Canon 40D using C80ED, guided. Not ideal conditions, no real dark skies here in May.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Messier 97 and 108 in Ursa Major





The planetary nebula M97, also called Owl Nebula is bottom left in the picture. 2.6 kLY away and Mag 9.9. It is believed to be formed 6000 years ago.
The spiral galaxy M108 seen from the edge is about 50 MLY away with Mag 10.7.
The image was made out of 14 subs (5 at 3 min, 9 at 6 min), ISO 1600, light polluted sky, Telescope C 80ED (600mm, f7.5), Canon 40D, Guided.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

M96 Galaxy Group in Leo





The M96 group, left to right: NGC3373/3389, NGC3371/3384, M105, M95, M96. The are all about 32 MLY away and magnitude about 10-12.
12 frames through Celestron C80ED (600 mm, f7.5), 6min, ISO 1600, Canon 40D(modified) on a light polluted sky. Guided.

Messier81, Messier82 and NGC3077


The M81, M82 and NGC3077 in constellation Ursa Major. M81 (bottom right) is 11.8 MLY away with mag 7.8. M82 (top right) is 11.5 MLY away with mag 9.3 and the smaller NGC3077 is 12.8 MLY away with mag 10.6. 14 images each 6 min, ISO1600 with Canon 40D(modified) through Celestron C80ED, 600 mm, f7.5. Guided with Stellarvue 200 mm f4, Neximage videocamera.