Ngc 247

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

A recent New Scientist article suggests that the huge dark void (to left of galactic centre) in NGC 247 was caused by a direct hit from something invisible and heavy, such as a lump of dark matter. The collision triggered the birth of a ring of bright blue stars. 8 hours lum, 2hrs each RGB. Aspen 16M on PlaneWave 20". North down. Allergen advice: this image processed on sky visited by an asteroid, several satellites, and loose glare from Diphda. Traces may remain. Larger versions and other stuff at http://mikeberthonjones.smugmug.com.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Superb shot Mike. Really good image scale. Lots of details and background faint fuzzies.

[PeterEde (Peter)]

Cool shot

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

Thanks, Marc. Erratum: In nervous haste I wrote North Down. But I then rotated the image before posting, so now North is Left.

[RickS (Rick)]

Lovely image, Mike! Nice scope too

[Nortilus (Josh)]

Love it...great shot

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

That 20" gives good image scale on these small galaxies. Like the observatory pics too. And great location.

[Ross G]

Hello Mike,

A great looking galaxy photo!

Nice colours and I love the detail.


Ross.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

good work Mike - detail and colour are excellent.

[Stevec35 (Steve)]

Very nice job! It's not an easy galaxy.

Cheers

Steve

[marc4darkskies (Marcus)]

Wow! That's an interesting thought bubble ... a hole punched in a galaxy.

Very nice image Mike! Haven't seen that one before either.

Cheers, Marcus

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

G'day Marc, Peter, Rick, Kevin, Ross, Ray, Marcus,
Been a member a long time but I think that was my first ever post. Thanks for kind words and moral support.
Mike

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Hello Mike

Wow your scope and observatory are just to die for must be one of the coolest (and most powerful) amateur observatories in Oz

NGC 247 is a great looking galaxy and you have done it quite proud, congratulations.

You have some formidable images on your site mate

Mike

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

NGC 247 is a great looking galaxy and you have done it quite proud, congratulations.

Mike

Hi, Mike, thanks much! Glad you like our web site. Trish and I are greatly encouraged. Looks like some good weather coming up.
Best,
Mike

[rustigsmed (Russell)]

stunning shot!

Cheers

Rusty

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

Thanks, Rusty,
Just saw your Mars shot. Wow! Goosebumps.
Mike

[pvelez (Pete)]

Originally Posted by Placidus

A recent New Scientist article suggests that the huge dark void (to left of galactic centre) in NGC 247 was caused by a direct hit from something invisible and heavy, such as a lump of dark matter. The collision triggered the birth of a ring of bright blue stars.

A lovely image Mike - and I agree with Big Mike, your obs looks amazing.

Do you have a link to the New Scientist article? I'd like to have a read. Alternatively, if you post the names of the original research paper, I can track it down through ADS.

Pete

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

Thanks, Pete,

I should have put the reference in earlier! The New Scientist article is in the 21 Aug 2014 edition at

http://www.newscientist.com/article/...hitandrun.html

Best,
Mike

[Placidus (Mike and Trish)]

Originally Posted by Stevec35

It's not an easy galaxy.

Thanks, Steve,

The thing that was hardest about it is that at almost 3.5 meters focal length, the available guide stars are seriously faint.

Best,
Mike

[Bassnut (Fred)]

For such a hard one to image, that fair pops and is sharp as