The weather here has been pretty poor for the last couple of months with only small windows of opportunity to image in between anti-astrophotography weather systems. Lately there have
been a few clear nights so here's the latest from Bells Observatory!
This is the spiral galaxy NGC 134 (angular dimensions 8.4 x 1.8 arc minutes) in the constellation of Sculptor. It's apparent size is small so it's not the most photographed spiral galaxy. However, it definitely presents an interesting and beautiful vista with it's companion galaxies, spiral arms and distinct dust lanes. Combined with the bright foreground stars and faint background galaxies, it's as pretty as a picture!
It lies about 60 million light years away in a group of galaxies. NGC 134 is actually larger than the Milky Way, spanning around 150,000 light years. Note the faint extensions on either end which hint at possible gravitational encounters in the past with neighboring galaxies. There are also many HII star forming regions (pink dots) in the spiral arms. At this distance they appear as dots only but up close they would be vast nebulae. We can only imagine that the astro-photographers in that galaxy must be pretty happy with there lot!
The small galaxy to the lower left is NGC 131 and is part of the same galaxy group.
This image has been cropped from the full frame for composition purposes.
This is an LLsRGB exposure comprising 18 hours of data (L=360, Ls=180, R=180, G=180, B=180 minutes of exposure)
FOV: 25.5 x 16.8 arcmins @ 0.59 arcsec/pixel
Marcus,
Thanks for this image. Last night I was observing NGC 134 from my backyard. I could just pick up 131 as well. At the time I thought - "this is a pretty good galaxy, I wonder what a photo will show". I came to this group topic ready to search and found this at the top! A wonderful image.
Nothing to complain about here Marcus, well framed and composed to include the surrounding starfield and minor galaxies to accompany the hero.
This is a great example of not just lazily plonking the target in the middle of the frame - instead you have carefully considered it's surrounds in context to make a wonderful composition.
Oh and it's beautifully processed, colour balanced, sharp, clean - ya de ya de ya high technical marks too etc... very well done!
This is a great example of not just lazily plonking the target in the middle of the frame - instead you have carefully considered it's surrounds in context to make a wonderful composition.
I could be wrong Andy, buuut I'm betting the galaxy is centred in the full frame
Gorgeous looking natural colours in the galaxy Marcus, not overly done, I like it!
Thanks Josh!
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
Huh, well there you go, this is what you've been tinkering away at collecting huh? ... a very nice galaxy image that Marcus, nicely done
Some strong colour there too (for you anyway )...I like!
Went looking for those fainty wainty stars too...
Mike
Cheers Mike. Yes, I gave it some colour punch but it's still well within the bounds of my stringent aesthetics!
The fainty stars are there but seeing scrubbed any chance of glimpsing the really wainty ones I'm afraid.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryderscope
A great catch Marcus and intriguing field to wander around in
Thanks very much Rodney!
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Mekon
Marcus,
Thanks for this image. Last night I was observing NGC 134 from my backyard. I could just pick up 131 as well. At the time I thought - "this is a pretty good galaxy, I wonder what a photo will show". I came to this group topic ready to search and found this at the top! A wonderful image.
Thank you John - you looked at just the right time! Very glad you like it!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by codemonkey
Superb! Without doubt one of the best NGC 134's I've ever seen. Congrats, Marcus!
You're too kind Lee. Thanks! Your rendition is excellent also and I used it as one of my reference points.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy01
Nothing to complain about here Marcus, well framed and composed to include the surrounding starfield and minor galaxies to accompany the hero.
This is a great example of not just lazily plonking the target in the middle of the frame - instead you have carefully considered it's surrounds in context to make a wonderful composition.
Oh and it's beautifully processed, colour balanced, sharp, clean - ya de ya de ya high technical marks too etc... very well done!
Much appreciated Andy! That means a lot.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Placidus
Beautiful Marcus. As others have said, full marks for colour, composition, sharpness. The colour is especially pleasing.
There are two cute little interacting galaxies to the right of the big one.
Thanks very much M&T!
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
I could be wrong Andy, buuut I'm betting the galaxy is centred in the full frame
Mike
Let's just say we're all at the mercy of guide star location - not many choices for this one. In any case, cropping is a perfectly valid way of achieving good composition.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Ward
Yep.
Cheers Peter! I consider two thumbsup high praise indeed!
In any case, cropping is a perfectly valid way of achieving good composition.
Annnd that was my point...
I am lucky, not using AO, I am never at the mercy of the guide star , can frame to my hearts content, I have never had to change framing (not ever) to facilitate a suitable guide star, there is always one or more suitable, every time
Hi Marcus,
that's a great image.
It seems like everything you've striven for has come together -
high end equipment in your own countryside observatory.
That is a sensational image. Love it. Great detail and terrific colour. Superb.
Greg.
Cheers Greg! I'd have gotten more detail if the seeing had cooperated more! <sigh> Very pleased with the result though!
Quote:
Originally Posted by alpal
Hi Marcus,
that's a great image.
It seems like everything you've striven for has come together -
high end equipment in your own countryside observatory.
cheers
Allan
Thanks very much Allan! Yep, I have pretty much everything I ever wanted - so I'm a lucky bugger. The only thing missing now is 32" RC on top of a desert mountain in Chile!
Thanks very much Allan! Yep, I have pretty much everything I ever wanted - so I'm a lucky bugger. The only thing missing now is 32" RC on top of a desert mountain in Chile!
Hi Marcus,
there's always a bigger telescope somewhere better.
If you look here: http://www.chart32.de/group
I think there are dozens of people involved in CHART32.
And surprisingly it's not an RC but a
32" Astrooptik Keller corrected cassegrain. http://www.chart32.de/
I would imagine that it's worth many $millions and the
maintenance costs alone would be 100s of 1000s per annum
but there is nothing said about that?
Hi Marcus,
there's always a bigger telescope somewhere better.
If you look here: http://www.chart32.de/group
I think there are dozens of people involved in CHART32.
And surprisingly it's not an RC but a
32" Astrooptik Keller corrected cassegrain. http://www.chart32.de/
I would imagine that it's worth many $millions and the
maintenance costs alone would be 100s of 1000s per annum
but there is nothing said about that?
cheers
Allan
I'll take it!!! Where do I sign??!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JA
That's a cracker Marcus.
Best
JA
Thanks very much JA!
Quote:
Originally Posted by h0ughy
Oh dear that's so cool, better than Mikey's blob, but I didn't say that....
Thank you Dave!
Ah yes, I remember The Blob (the original and the best with Steve McQueen)!
... a very nice galaxy image that Marcus, nicely done 
)...I like! 
