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M 82 Cigar Galaxy

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Posts Made By: Chris Nisbet

October 14, 2010 04:34 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Abell 73/PK95+7.1

Posted By Chris Nisbet
Here is another obscure object that does not receive much attention. And I can see why-man, is thing faint. A quick net search doesn't reveal much. I had to really stretch this image to get it visible. But, at least I can see it. I knew it was faint and enjoyed the challenge of trying to capture it.

Taken with a 1992 C11 (CF tube retrofit), MI-250, f/11.5, ST-8XME, AO8,Pyxis,2x2,17x12min subs,-25C, processed in CCDStack2.

Chris
Cedar, MN

October 22, 2010 03:50 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC 1023 (Arp 135)

Posted By Chris Nisbet
Here is a shot of Arp 135. An internet search reveals that this galaxy contains a bright globular cluster (that globular is indicated by the lines). That's kinda cool to image a globular in another galaxy! And that backyard equipment can do it!
And don't forget about NGC 1023A, the dwarf galaxy interacting with the main galaxy (left of main galaxy).

1992 C11 (CF tube retrofit), MI-250,f/11.5,ST-8XME,16x10min subs,2x2 bin,A0-8.

Chris
Cedar, MN

October 23, 2010 03:56 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Heart of IC417

Posted By Chris Nisbet
Here is a shot of the "heart" of IC 417. I was wrapping up the evening around 2am (already imaged NCG 1023 and PK 104-29.1 the planned targets) and the sky was still clear. I opened up Uranometria 2000 and just picked IC 417 not knowing a thing about it. The Sky6 revealed it should just fit in the camera's FOV. So, keep on goin when it's clear especially here in MN! (A later check of the internet revealed IC 417 to be much more complex than The Sky6 let on.) It was definitely faint but there is some cool structure in the close up.

1992 C11(CF tube retrofit),MI-250,f/11.5,ST-8XME,2x2,14x10 min subs, CCDStack2

Chris
Cedar, MN

February 6, 2011 03:04 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Ring Galaxy IC 5285

Posted By Chris Nisbet
I don't even know if I should post this because it really isn't that spectacular but it is kinda cool. I was looking in the "Ring Galaxies" catalogue on faintfuzzies.com and this was the first entry. The background on this catalogue is a guy who observes using a 48" (yes 48") telescope. I just wanted to see what my C11 could capture on these faint and small fuzzies. Size is listed as 1.4 x 0.8' at 13.6 mag. An internet search reveals (not surprisingly) that this is not imaged very often. So here it is. 11x15 min, binned 2x2, ST-8XME,AO-8, C11 at f/11.5, MI-250. Imaged over two nights because here in MN this winter has been terrible for clear skies. And when it is clear, there is a glow from all the lights reflecting off the snowpack. Uggh.

Chris N
Cedar, MN

February 11, 2011 06:07 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Arp 147

Posted By Chris Nisbet
OK, if the Hubble can capture this object, I'm pretty sure my C11 can't. But I wanted to try anyway. Very small and at the edge of my "light dome" (lights from downtown Minneapolis MN), this was not an easy object. But what is kinda cool is seeing this picture then seeing what the Hubble can do and that gives you an appreciation what you are seeing. So here it is. Also doesn't seem to be too popular an object for CCD imaging.

17x10 min subs, 2x2 binning, C11 @ f/11.5, ST-8XME, AO-8

Chris N
Cedar, MN

February 13, 2011 05:47 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC 2392 in Ha

Posted By Chris Nisbet
Well here in Minnesota a day of spring arrived yesterday. The high was 36 deg ABOVE zero! No jackets, hats or gloves! Anyway, even though the moon was out and there was persistant very thin clouds, I had to get the scope out. The equipment works much better when it is "warm" out. I chose NGC 2392 and imaged the planetary in Ha light to minimize the moonglow. Didn't turn out too bad considering.

10x7 min subs, 2x2 binning, Astrodon Ha filter, ST-8XME, C11 @ f/11.5, AO-8, MI-250, CCDStack v2

Chris N
Cedar, MN

February 27, 2011 05:34 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Arp 1, Arp 285 and NGC 2856

Posted By Chris Nisbet
Well finally after what seems like an eternity (since 2/4), we had a clear night in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Or clear enough to at least attempt something! But it was still cold. -11 deg F at the observatory. Winter will never end. Anyway, here is a shot of a pair of Arp's-Arp 285 (far left),NGC 2856 and finally Arp 1 (far right).

20x600 min subs, 2x2 binning, AO-8 (1.5 sec guide star exposure), ST-8XME, C11 @ f/11.5, MI-250, CCDStack v2

Chris N
Cedar, MN

March 6, 2011 06:09 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Arp 6 - Bear Paw Galaxy

Posted By Chris Nisbet
Well the clouds cleared today in Minneapolis and we had a sunny day with a high of 26 deg. No heavy coats just sweatshirts! Anyway, continuing my theme of imaging the uncommon is Arp 6 (NGC 2357) also known as the Bear Paw Galaxy. Very unusual "shape" (if you can call it that) for a galaxy. Might try and add some color to this later as the guide star is fairly bright.
The galaxy to left is NGC 2357a (The Sky 6 doesn't show this galaxy)

Arp galaxies are fun to image because they are so unusual. Down side is most of them are pretty small. This one is only 1.7' x 1.5'.

13x600 subs, 2x2 binning, AO-8, ST-8XME, C11 @ f/11.5, MI-250, CCDStack v2

Chris N
Cedar, MN

October 16, 2011 04:49 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Abell 61 + Another Unknown Object (?)

Posted By Chris Nisbet
Just for fun I was going to see if I could capture Abell 61 at the prime focus of my C11. I knew it was extremely faint and may not not turn out but I thought I would give it a try.

It didn't disappoint. The raw subs coming through barely showed anything. And I mean barely. Processing the images this morning I was able to pull the planetary out. Then I noticed near the bottom of the frame another object which does not show up on The Sky 6. Now I'm curious, can anybody identify this object or point me to how I can go about finding out what it is (object is in the rectangle)? It appears to be another small faint planetary but I don't know.

Always fun to find something unexpected when processing images!

7x1200 subs (taken 10/2/2011),MI-250, C11 (factory carbon fiber) @ f11.5, ST8-XME, AO8, Pyxis processed in CCDS v2



Chris N
Cedar, MN

November 13, 2011 04:11 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

"Soap Bubble" Processing Help

Posted By Chris Nisbet
I admit my processing skills are not the best but I've always managed to do ok but I can't figure this one out.

I decided to try for a really difficult and faint object so I choose the "Soap Bubble" through an Ha filter. Scope is a C11 used at around f/11.5 with an ST-8XME. Subs were 30 minutes and I stacked 8. Using CCDStack v2. When stretching the image, I was pleased to see "The Bubble" but then noticed all kinds of "black dots" on the image. What are these and how do you remove them?

Thanks

Chris N
Cedar, MN

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