What does the region around the centre of the Milky Way look like?
I've always wanted to image this piece of sky in Sagittarius
The invisible object located at the centre of the image is called Sagittarius A or Sgr A and this is a direct reference to the powerful radio sourch located there at a distance of some 26 000 Ltyrs .
Located on the Sagittarius-Scorpius border it is a lovely stary field with some faint nebulosity but it's not a visually mind blowing region and don't expect to actually see Sgr A, as there is 25 magnitudes of extinction of the optical component but it is a very important area of sky!
Nice image mike, there's not anything in there I instantly recognize as a familiar object which is a real plus, the composition is good, it's crisply presented. In a strange way a very calming image to look at,
Nice image mike, there's not anything in there I instantly recognize as a familiar object which is a real plus, the composition is good, it's crisply presented. In a strange way a very calming image to look at,
Cheers Clive but the composition was a no brainer as I had to put Sgr A near the centre aaand it's a square chip, so doesn't leave too many framing options
Beautiful star colours too, I can see subtle changes in colours due to redenning by interstellar dust.
Just think in the old days something like the UK Schmidt telescope, and hours and hours of exposures on RGB plates, then all the darkroom work would be required for such an image. Who would have thought medium format image sensors would come along with high QE and big bit depth
Gee you will go beserk catching photons when you get your new scope, a very fast one I imagine
Scott
I guess we've all been curious at some point about the centre of our galaxy. Not much to see but interesting nonetheless. The dust must really be thick and its a shame because no doubt it would be a very bright and very interesting area otherwise.
I guess we've all been curious at some point about the centre of our galaxy. Not much to see but interesting nonetheless. The dust must really be thick and its a shame because no doubt it would be a very bright and very interesting area otherwise.
When is the new scope expected to arrive?
Greg.
Sgr A suffers from 25mags of extinction in optical wavelengths
The AG12 depends as much on the timing of the Atlas focuser as anything else, if it gets to them on schedule Orion have tentatively said late Oct.
Trevor (Quark) once posted a fascinating thread about the Keck scope
and it's adaptive optics turned towards Sgr A and the velocities involved
in the stars at the galactic centre.
Thread is here and the link to a movie of stellar motion here.
A very curious place indeed!
Steve
Yeh that's an amazing animation. I am sure I can see those stars in the centre 1" X 1" of my image though ....
Glorious image Mike, my favorite targets are indeed those that capture the imagination. I have often contemplated doing a shot of the galactic centre myself, but given the area's rather limited splendour (particularly with my pathetic 640x480 resolution!) I just haven't got around to it. I'm glad to see such a beautiful presentation of this fascinating area, your amazing skills and equipment certainly gives it justice, as always. Thank you for sharing yet another of your wonderful deep images.
Glorious image Mike, my favorite targets are indeed those that capture the imagination. I have often contemplated doing a shot of the galactic centre myself, but given the area's rather limited splendour (particularly with my pathetic 640x480 resolution!) I just haven't got around to it. I'm glad to see such a beautiful presentation of this fascinating area, your amazing skills and equipment certainly gives it justice, as always. Thank you for sharing yet another of your wonderful deep images.
Thanks Rolfarooney
Yes it is certainly not a "Pow" area of sky visually but it is a nice star field (plenty in that area of sky) and has significance, I thought you might like it actually
