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View Full Version here: : NGC5078 and NGC5101


Paul Haese
22-05-2017, 04:32 PM
This is the first image I have completed since moving the RC12 into the roll off roof and onto the PME. I was using the PMX to carry the RC12 but this was really pushing it. It has been a long process and there are still some things I need to undertake. One of those jobs is to commission the FitPC to replace the desktop I have been using in that observatory. It will be a more robust setup then and less likely to act a little flaky at times.

I have been trying to collect data on this object for the last few years. I collecting data on this object in 2015 managed to collect 10 hours in the first run and the balance of the 24 hours this run. The data is not entirely to my liking with poor seeing and transparency but I am happy to finally have a colour image of this target.

Now to the target. These two main galaxies are quite interesting to view. NGC5101 is the face on barred spiral which is quite faint and would certainly require more integration to really bring out the arms. It would probably need better data than I have for the luminance to compare favourably with Martin Pugh's image. However, you can see distant galaxies through the arms, as well as some detail starting to show up in the arms. NGC5078 is indeed the star of the image. The dust lanes are warped due to the interaction with the smaller galaxy IC879. IC879 is only about 60,000 light years away from NGC5078. This has distorted the arms of IC879 to create the S shape. Both galaxies show plenty of detail and considering this was taken at 6m above sea level it compares pretty well with larger scopes at better altitudes.

So I hope you enjoy the view.

Click here (http://paulhaese.net/NGC5078.html) for the larger resolution image.

Feel free to let me know what you think.

cometcatcher
22-05-2017, 07:16 PM
Beautiful image Paul. Such patience to keep data from 2015 to now.

topheart
22-05-2017, 07:22 PM
Hi Paul,
I think this is a special image - hauntingly beautiful - a lovely and original composition with a clean noise free background to contrast the gems you have processed so very nicely.
Congratulations!
Tim

alpal
22-05-2017, 08:09 PM
A very nice image Paul,
you've gone deep & there is plenty to see in the background
regardless of your seeing conditions.

cheers
Allan

marc4darkskies
22-05-2017, 09:54 PM
Looking good Paul! :thumbsup: Love all the faint fuzzies in the field and your colours look great! I think you've got some more depth to tease out with that much data though.

I've been trying since 2014 to finish my version, but with only 4.5 hours of Lum I have a long way to go!

Atmos
22-05-2017, 10:19 PM
That is very nice Paul, really nice details in the main galaxies and there are some smaller ones popping through the background. Very well processed.

RickS
23-05-2017, 06:54 AM
Great detail and subtle colour. Well done, Paul! Maybe a small nit... is the core of IC879 a bit blown out?

Cheers,
Rick.

Placidus
23-05-2017, 07:42 AM
Exquisite.

Beautiful, meaningful colour and contrast. Very sharp. Squillions of tiny background galaxies visible, even more if you up the brightness a bit.

Spent ages looking at the detailed shapes of the big three.

Paul Haese
24-05-2017, 02:46 PM
Thanks guys for the comments. I'll see if I can capture some better data in the luminance to replace the defective stuff. Seeing is king even with an AOX.



Yeah for some reason it got blown out during capture. I might just take a bit of a look to reduce that part of the field a little to see if that makes a difference.

Stevec35
24-05-2017, 03:58 PM
Like this a lot Paul. The detail in the dust lane of NGC 5078 is great.

Cheers

Steve

Phil Hart
25-05-2017, 10:15 PM
Nice work Paul. Plenty to like about that image. Sounds like regular working bees at the observatory of late!

Phil

atalas
27-05-2017, 11:27 AM
:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

gregbradley
27-05-2017, 04:52 PM
Terrific image Paul. You even got a bit of the vertical dust plumes like NGC253 has.

Greg.