1693 replies to this topic

[MadHungarian]

But very nice! I lost count of the number of galaxies in that shot. Got to be at least 30-40, i'd think. What part of the sky is that in? Is that M104? I suppose i should know, but i've taken the last several months off starwatching to rest my back and i'm a little rusty now.

[andysea]

Oops, forgot to mention. that is NGC891

[MadHungarian]

Oh, okay. I was thinking it really looked too edge-on for M104. Now about 25% away at 4:45, is a tiny deranged face-on galaxy that has the bottom arm stretched out like it's interacting with something. Might that be an ARP galaxy? Any guesses as to what galaxy it is?

[andysea]

I was wondering the same thing. Astrometry.net did not tag it. I need to do a little more research on that. I think I need at least another 6~8 hours of L and same amount of RGB to really make the detail pop.

[MadHungarian]

Okay, a quick check of my copy of "The Great Atlas Of The Sky", and then some googling says that it might be PGC 9101, whatever that is. An obscure galaxy i can't find much info about. One google hit states:

CGCG 538-059/PGC 9101 is one Arp missed for his category spiral galaxies with a low surface brightness galaxy on an arm. Like many Arp put in this category, the companion has no red shift data. In this case the field is very poorly cataloged so it isn't even listed. While it appears likely it is a true companion I can't verify it. It is a very blue galaxy that could indicate interaction. The main galaxy has one cut off arm and one long one apparently drawn out by the companion.

http://cosmoquest.or...p/t-129162.html
http://www.astroimag...ccd/ngc891.html

[astronomania]

Great shot Andy!!

[Stacy]

Nice work Andy!

[Spaced]

Wow, that's lots brighter than it looks in Sugaree!

[andysea]

I guess Yakima Canyon is dark enough. I'm going to try and see if I can coax out any of the galactic cirrus.
Let's hope for some clear skies around the upcoming holiday!!

[MadHungarian]

I'm jealous. Well, maybe i'll join you characters out there again starting in February. I've got about 260 Herschel 400's left to track down, and most of them seem to be in spring galaxy season.

I took the last several months off from starwatching and didn't even fire up CloudyNights. I was curious if that would cause me to lose all interest in starwatching. But it doesn't give up that easily i guess. The starlust always hits me again when the nights get long.

[andysea]

Excellent! I will let everyone know the next time I'm heading out. It's always nice to be with a group of visual astronomers as it gives me something to do while my setup is collecting photons:)

Andy

[zerro1]

Nice Galaxy shot Andy! I could stand some dark sky too. My rig has been setup in the front yard for days but the haze has not relented...

[Spaced]

I hope All here have an excellent holiday weekend!

[cliff mygatt]

Happy Thanksgiving my friends!

[andysea]

I spent last night at the Yakima canyon to finish my image. The seeing wasn't as good as last week but it was still above average and we essentially had clear skies all night! Luckily I was able to escape the holiday feast early with no consequences!
If the forecast holds up we are in for a few clear nights next week!!

[zerro1]

I headed over to Winthrop! Man, it was beautiful for the first 2 hours! Then a serious haze moved in. I waited for a few hours and finally just shut down. Course now it looks pretty nice overhead but it's, um Chilly.

A tropical 16 degrees Well, I still got tomorrow night... supposed to be "0" degrees tomorrow night, but may be a wash due to a change in the forecast for some clouds. Go figure.

Edit: I did get an hour and 40 minutes of M45

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[astronomania]

Awesome shot Robert!!
Looks like it was worth the trip after all.

[Spaced]

Pretty cool "byproduct" of a short session, Robert.

[andysea]

Excellent result! I want to head out probably on Friday and Saturday or Sunday depending on the forecast. Anyone up for meeting up somewhere?

[zerro1]

Thyank You Ron, Mike, and Andy!


I'm staying here until Saturday... Friday night is supposed to be the "clear" night. It's currently 13 degrees and falling. I'm adding dome more subs to the M45 to start with. If the night stays clear and still (2.5 FWHM right now), I'm going to try for a widefield of M78... otherwise I might just play with M42.

[Spaced]

Robert, what's "FWHM"?

Andy, I don't think I'll be able to do an astronomy excursion this weekend. I have a seminar all day Saturday, which eats up a big chunk o' weekend.

Did anyone notice and the crescent moon this eve? Wow.

[zerro1]

Hi Mike
I DID SEE that beautiful Crescent and the Earth Shine on the dark region.. Absolutely Stunning!

Not sure I'm the best to explain. A capture program I use to focus my camera provides a readout of the point source. It's described as Full Width Half Maximum. Most of the time, I can't get the reading below 3 or more(usually 3.5 to 3.8) The better the seeing, the lower that number will usually be if your focus is tight.

Here is a web page that describes the function

http://www.noao.edu/...mages/fwhm.html

EDIT: It's now 9 degrees

[Spaced]

Yikes! 9 deg! I was mostly awake after about 2 this morning. I thought about getting up and doing some 'gazing but the thought of 20 deg. kinda kept me where I lay.

[svtdoug]

Robert, nice shot of M45. 2.5 FWHM! Wow, I've never seen it that low. I'm usually happy with something in the 4 range. Keep warm out there!

Doug

[MadHungarian]

Did anyone notice and the crescent moon this eve? Wow.

Yep, as i was walking to my car in the (cold) park&ride this evening. Very pretty it was. A bit brownish, with the dark side visible.