A pair of spring galaxies

[andyc]

A pretty rewarding trip to the dark skies of Nerriga, and a couple of images.

Seeing wasn't great, but imaging time is precious :) I got a couple of hours on NGC1097, and added a couple of hours on NGC300 to my effort of last year, with a big improvement in definition in the galaxy and the background clusters. I love the background galaxies around NGC300.

NGC300 - 4 hours (20 x 5 min, 150mm Newt from 2015, 27x 5min, 200mm Newt this year).
NGC1097 - 2 hours, 200mm f/5 Newt.
Both EOS 60D, HEQ5Pro mount.

A larger view of NGC1097 here. (http://www.pbase.com/andycasely/image/164214134)
A larger view of NGC300 here. (http://www.pbase.com/andycasely/image/164304001)

[Placidus]

Nice structure in both targets. The colour in that galaxy cluster next to NGC 300 is especially fine.

[Atmos]

Both reasonably faint targets so you've done well for limited time :)

[strongmanmike]

Nice work Andy on this two beaut galaxies, always good to get some dark sky time :thumbsup:. Do you have a place in Nerriga or just drive there and setup in a public spot?

Mike

[andyc]

THanks, that's good praise to get - it's been a challenge to work on my colour balance, and I was hoping it's improving a bit :)


Thanks Colin!

Thanks Mike, yes, dark sky time is precious. We have some good friends who have a 90 acre property down there. No electricity, but a fabulous spot to set up and relax with a beer, campfire (away from scope, and there's a hut if it's cold), and hopefully let the scope take a few frames. I don't get there often enough!

[RickS]

Nice work, Andy! The background galaxies in the NGC300 FOV are especially cool.