The sculptor dwarf

[marco]

After another looong absence from this forum find the time to process a new image. This time the subject is nothing spectacular but still not so commonly imaged:

The Sculptor Dwarf (http://www.glitteringlights.com/Images/Galaxies/i-Fk8GMn5)

This is a pretty faint galaxy I imaged some time ago, pretty large but with quite low surface brightness, it turned out not so easy to process as I thought. Not fancy colors or many details, however I am happy to have it in my collection :)

The Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy is a dwarf spheroidal galaxy that is a satellite of the Milky Way. It was discovered in 1937 by Harlow Shapley using the 24-inch Bruce refractor at Boyden Observatory. The peculiarity of this galaxy is the very low presence of carbon and other heavy elements comparing our Milky Way, making it similar to primitive galaxies seen at the edge of the universe.

A 6.5 hours LRGB using my trusty Apo TEC140.

Clear skies
Marco

[allan gould]

Nice one as usual Marco. Nice colours too.
Allan

[atalas]

Nicely resolved Marco.

[Peter.M]

Looks more like a cluster than a galaxy. Great image Marco!

[alpal]

Great shot with well defined stars.
It looks more like a globular cluster.

[RickS]

A very unusual object. Nicely captured, Marco!

[marco]

Thanks to all for the nice comments :) As said, not a spectacular subject but still quite interesting, next year I am thinking to give a shot to the Fornax dwarf too, another intriguing galaxy even if a bit fainter than this..

Clear Skies
Marco

[strongmanmike]

Actually, I think it is quite spectacular, I am well aware of how hard this object is to image well (bit like Barnards galaxy but even fainter and harder) and to get such fidelity in the end result is testament..:question:.. to your Italian heritage!! :D

Mike

[marco]

Haha, thanks Mike, you find always a way to make me laugh :thumbsup:
Cheers
Marco

[strongmanmike]

Life is too short for imaging to be conservative and without humour, live it up and enjoy the World around us I say, waaaay too much stale seriousness out there ;) :thumbsup:

Mike

[SkyViking]

Just wonderful Marco, it's a real pleasure to see these obscure dwarf galaxies in such detail. There even seems to be an ever so slight hint of a red emission nebula at the 4 o'clock position in the outskirts of the galaxy.
I have a few of these dwarfs on my todo list as well, they are great targets. Thanks for the inspiration :)

[gregbradley]

Great work Marco. You always get an interesting target.

Greg.

[marco]

Thanks Rolf, not sure about the emission nebula but definitely this FOV is rich of small back ground tiny galaxies.. and with your higher res set up I hope you will make them more justice ;)



thanks Greg :)

Clear skies
Marco

[Stevec35]

Very nicely done Marco. Certainly one of the best shots I've seen of this one.

Cheers

Steve

[John Hothersall]

I have been interested in this close dwarf galaxy but it really needs a wider scale as you have provided. Resolution is a winner along with the usual scattering of tiny backgnd galaxies. Great result, pity its not a popular target.

John.