Go Back   IceInSpace > Images > Deep Space

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 01-08-2016, 04:55 PM
SkyViking's Avatar
SkyViking (Rolf)
Registered User

SkyViking is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waitakere Ranges, New Zealand
Posts: 2,260
Cool Colliding Galaxy Pair NGC 1316 and NGC 1317 in Fornax

Hi All,

A long overdue image from me, with data gathered back in 2015 and even a stint during 2014 too!
At ~24 hours this is not another 'extreme' exposure but the result nicely shows the extended halo and impressive tidal tails and shells of NGC 1316 a.k.a. Fornax A. There is a bit of noise in the deep background which would go away with more exposure time, but as I am still without a permanent setup at the moment that will have to wait.

Link to highest resolution image (3.5MB)
Link to large 'X3' size image


About the image:
This dramatic pair of interacting galaxies are located in the southern constellation Fornax (The Furnace).
The largest, NGC 1316, is also known as Fornax A, meaning it is the brightest radio source in Fornax (also the fourth brightest in the entire sky). The strong radio emission originates from its central supermassive black hole.
Visible near its bright centre are many concentric shells that are remnants of past mergers with other galaxies. The formation of such shells are a common observation in computer simulations of merging galaxies. The shells form when the cores of merging galaxies orbit around their common centre of mass in an ever tighter orbit while disrupting the halos of both galaxies and sending billions of stars into eccentric orbits. This process creates outward travelling density waves until the collision eventually settles as one single larger galaxy. Other prominent galaxies display similar shells and one of the finest examples is Centaurus A

The halo of the galaxy is very distorted and shows many prominent tidal tails and swirls of stars which have likely been ejected by a previous merger event. The next collision appears to be lining up already, with the smaller elegantly shaped spiral companion NGC 1317 already appearing somewhat disturbed by the pull from its more massive neighbour. A few billion years from now it will likely have been completely devoured by NGC 1316; its stars being spread throughout the realms of the large elliptical and leaving no trace of their former orderly spiral structure.

Our own Milky Way galaxy will likely share this fate in the future when it collides with the Andromeda Galaxy. Although the large Andromeda Galaxy is approaching our own galaxy with the colossal speed of 110 km/s the two galaxies will not begin to merge for another 4 billion years.

For some reason this beautiful pair of galaxies is rarely imaged by amateurs. Some detailed images exist of this pair taken by large observatories including a very detailed close-up from the Hubble Space Telescope. I was pleasantly surprised by the high level of detail acquired in the central dust streaks in front of the bright core (see the HST image for comparison). Also the many distant reddened background galaxies that litter the entire FOV are a nice addition to the galaxies, with some even shining through the distorted halo of NGC 1316.

The current best distance estimates place NGC 1316 approximately 62 million light-years from us, and so the light recorded here in this image actually left the galaxy only shortly after the Cretaceous–Tertiary (K–T) extinction event that killed the dinosaurs some 65 million years ago.

Image details:
Date: 25th Oct 2014, 9th, 10th Aug 2015, 30 Oct 2015, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 13th and 16th Nov 2015
Exposure: LRGB: 1051:130:130:120 mins, total 23 hours 51 mins @ -25C
Telescope: Homebuilt 12.5" f/4 Serrurier Truss Newtonian
Camera: QSI 683wsg with Lodestar guider
Filters: Astrodon LRGB E-Series Gen 2
Taken from my observatory in Auckland, New Zealand

Hope you enjoy the view, all comments and critique welcome as usual.

Regards,
Rolf
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (FornaxA_LRGB_1200x906_lowqual.jpg)
198.7 KB201 views

Last edited by SkyViking; 01-08-2016 at 05:45 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-08-2016, 05:30 PM
atalas's Avatar
atalas
Registered User

atalas is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 5,136
A most enjoyable view It was Rolfgood work.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-08-2016, 05:47 PM
DJT (David)
Registered User

DJT is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,452
Stunning image Rolf. Top job!

THe detail in the core of those galaxies is excellent.

Thanks for sharing.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-08-2016, 05:57 PM
strongmanmike's Avatar
strongmanmike (Michael)
Highest Observatory in Oz

strongmanmike is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 17,150
Yaaay! Rolf is back, Rolf is back

Lovely image! The complex halo structure is so cool on this one and you have managed to show both it and the core detail very nicely I like your composition too...but is that the full frame? I ask, as you have missed a lovely faint but large looped tidal extension that extends off the top left of the galaxy in your image there.

Nice to see you doing another (closer to) normal exposure time image too...just so us mere mortals don't feel so lazy and bad

Oh and the noise you speak of is a non issue as far as I am concerned, the majesty of your capture far surpasses the irrelevant noise.

Mike

Last edited by strongmanmike; 01-08-2016 at 06:15 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-08-2016, 06:25 PM
Stevec35 (Steve)
Registered User

Stevec35 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Canberra
Posts: 3,654
Really nice Rolf. I've rarely seen such detail in NGC 1316/1317. I hope you get your permanent setup back soon.

Cheers

Steve
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-08-2016, 06:26 PM
alpal's Avatar
alpal
Registered User

alpal is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,602
Hi Rolf,
that is excellent work.
You've gone so deep - there are galaxies everywhere.
It seems to be better than this APOD:
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080902.html
maybe you should submit it?

cheers
Allan
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-08-2016, 06:43 PM
Placidus (Mike and Trish)
Narrowing the band

Placidus is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Euchareena, NSW
Posts: 3,719
That brought back some of the excitement I (dimly) remember from when I was very little and first learning about astronomy.

Brilliant image, great depth, nice colour, and a great explanation.

Best,
Mike
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-08-2016, 07:19 PM
gregbradley's Avatar
gregbradley
Registered User

gregbradley is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 17,877
Fantastic work. Love it.

Greg.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-08-2016, 07:34 PM
Atmos's Avatar
Atmos (Colin)
Ultimate Noob

Atmos is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 6,980
I'll have to check it on my laptop when I'm with it but it looks fantastic Rolf. The galaxies are a viewing pleasure
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-08-2016, 08:43 PM
marc4darkskies's Avatar
marc4darkskies (Marcus)
Billions and Billions ...

marc4darkskies is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Quialigo, NSW
Posts: 3,141
Exquisite Rolf!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-08-2016, 08:59 PM
TR's Avatar
TR (Terry)
Registered User

TR is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 230
Very nice Rolf.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-08-2016, 11:27 AM
plantnerd (Luis)
Registered User

plantnerd is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 86
Splendid work Rolf
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-08-2016, 02:53 PM
Peter Ward's Avatar
Peter Ward
Galaxy hitchhiking guide

Peter Ward is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The Shire
Posts: 8,090
I'll add to the superlatives.

Love your work
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 02-08-2016, 03:15 PM
graham.hobart's Avatar
graham.hobart (Graham stevens)
DeepSkySlacker

graham.hobart is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: hobart, tasmania
Posts: 2,214
Ngc 1316

exquisite !
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-08-2016, 03:22 PM
el_draco (Rom)
Politically incorrect.

el_draco is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Tasmania (South end)
Posts: 2,315
Even on my telling bone, that's a gob smacker. Wow!
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 02-08-2016, 04:53 PM
Paul Haese's Avatar
Paul Haese
Registered User

Paul Haese is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 9,937
Nice work Rolf, even if it is shallow by your standards. I like the detail and the tidal tails. The core detail looks good too. The detail in NGC1310 (I think) is also very good. Lovely framing Rolf. Like you say the noise is the only killer really. It would probably only need another 20 or so hours, but without a permanent setup it would be hard to get that and beside I am sure you will gather more data on this in the future.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 02-08-2016, 07:42 PM
topheart
Registered User

topheart is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cairns
Posts: 1,087
Superb!
Tim
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 03-08-2016, 05:55 AM
nandopg's Avatar
nandopg
Registered User

nandopg is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Santa Rita do Sapucai - Brazil
Posts: 303
Rolf,
This project has been taken to the perfection in all respects,

Thanks for sharing this beauty,

Fernando
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 03-08-2016, 06:41 AM
AG Hybrid's Avatar
AG Hybrid (Adrian)
A Friendly Nyctophiliac

AG Hybrid is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toongabbie, NSW
Posts: 1,581
Great work Rolf. A master class in how its done again!
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 03-08-2016, 05:45 PM
SkyViking's Avatar
SkyViking (Rolf)
Registered User

SkyViking is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waitakere Ranges, New Zealand
Posts: 2,260
Quote:
Originally Posted by atalas View Post
A most enjoyable view It was Rolfgood work.
Thank you Louie, glad you enjoyed it
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJT View Post
Stunning image Rolf. Top job!

THe detail in the core of those galaxies is excellent.

Thanks for sharing.
Thanks David, yeah I am particularly happy with the detail in the core dust clouds!
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike View Post
Yaaay! Rolf is back, Rolf is back

Lovely image! The complex halo structure is so cool on this one and you have managed to show both it and the core detail very nicely I like your composition too...but is that the full frame? I ask, as you have missed a lovely faint but large looped tidal extension that extends off the top left of the galaxy in your image there.

Nice to see you doing another (closer to) normal exposure time image too...just so us mere mortals don't feel so lazy and bad

Oh and the noise you speak of is a non issue as far as I am concerned, the majesty of your capture far surpasses the irrelevant noise.

Mike
Cheers Mike I hope to have more time for pursuing this great hobby again soon. Building a new obs at the moment!
Thanks for the kind words and yes it is the full 8300 frame. I'm aware of the faint extension and it can be glimpsed vaguely with a heavy stretch of the raw data, but at this image scale it would need a lot more hours to bring out clearly so didn't try to push the data too hard.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevec35 View Post
Really nice Rolf. I've rarely seen such detail in NGC 1316/1317. I hope you get your permanent setup back soon.

Cheers

Steve
Thanks Steve, yeah I'm working on it! Stay tuned

Quote:
Originally Posted by alpal View Post
Hi Rolf,
that is excellent work.
You've gone so deep - there are galaxies everywhere.
It seems to be better than this APOD:
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080902.html
maybe you should submit it?

cheers
Allan
Thank you very much Allan, you're too kind

Quote:
Originally Posted by Placidus View Post
That brought back some of the excitement I (dimly) remember from when I was very little and first learning about astronomy.

Brilliant image, great depth, nice colour, and a great explanation.

Best,
Mike
Thanks a lot Mike, it's always great to get excited about astronomy. I'm glad you enjoyed the image.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gregbradley View Post
Fantastic work. Love it.

Greg.
Thank you Greg

Quote:
Originally Posted by Atmos View Post
I'll have to check it on my laptop when I'm with it but it looks fantastic Rolf. The galaxies are a viewing pleasure
Cheers Colin, it is a very cool pair of galaxies for sure and somewhat under-imaged

Quote:
Originally Posted by marc4darkskies View Post
Exquisite Rolf!
Thank you Marcus

Quote:
Originally Posted by TR View Post
Very nice Rolf.
Thanks Terry

Quote:
Originally Posted by plantnerd View Post
Splendid work Rolf
Thanks a lot Luis

Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Ward View Post
I'll add to the superlatives.

Love your work
Thanks very much Peter, very kind of you

Quote:
Originally Posted by graham.hobart View Post
exquisite !
Thank you Graham!
Quote:
Originally Posted by el_draco View Post
Even on my telling bone, that's a gob smacker. Wow!
Lol, glad you liked it Rom

Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Haese View Post
Nice work Rolf, even if it is shallow by your standards. I like the detail and the tidal tails. The core detail looks good too. The detail in NGC1310 (I think) is also very good. Lovely framing Rolf. Like you say the noise is the only killer really. It would probably only need another 20 or so hours, but without a permanent setup it would be hard to get that and beside I am sure you will gather more data on this in the future.
Thanks a lot Paul, it may be shallow in comparison with a couple of other images, but for some reason it still took me 2 years to get this data
Yes NGC1310 is a nice litte galaxy with interesting detail. I just tried to make sure I got it in the frame and didn't really know what it looked like until I started integrating
I certainly might be tempted to add more to this data sometime in the future.

Quote:
Originally Posted by topheart View Post
Superb!
Tim
Thank you Tim

Quote:
Originally Posted by nandopg View Post
Rolf,
This project has been taken to the perfection in all respects,

Thanks for sharing this beauty,

Fernando
Thanks a lot Fernando!

Quote:
Originally Posted by AG Hybrid View Post
Great work Rolf. A master class in how its done again!
Thank you Adrian, not sure it is master class material but I was happy with the result.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
fornax, ngc1316, ngc1317, qsi683wsg, serrurier truss

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 02:10 AM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Testar
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement