Lots of Galaxies. Centaurus

[PKay]

For interest only, not intended to be a technical masterpiece.

I was 'surfing around' not looking for anything in particular and found this area.

Decided to spend some time on it.

Never seen so many galaxies (some not picked up with the plate solve).

NGC4672 (bottom right) looks interesting...

Stats:

Lum: 53 X 5min
RGB each: 17 X 5min
Total integration: 5.8 hrs

HiRes: https://www.astrobin.com/zu7g9e/

All good fun :)

[Dave882]

Wow great job really delving deep on that one! Mind boggling stuff hey. Just wondering - what bortle sky’s you at for this one?
Absolutely loving the wide field...will take me about 12mths to capture all those with my sct!
Dave

[Ryderscope]

Nice work Peter. I've just started imaging in the same area. Same as you, I was stumbling around in Stellarium and noticed a large area of galaxies called "Centaurus Chain".

[strongmanmike]

Yeah cool Peter, always like a good galaxy cluster, the Centaurus one is quite extensive too. And yes, it's good to just sometimes shoot the sky, without worrying too much about how perfect the image capture is and instead just focus (pardon the pun :whistle:) on what the subject matter actually is :thumbsup:

Mike

[PKay]

Thanks Dave. I live in a small coastal village with no street lighting. Moisture is the main hassle.



Taa muchly Rod. When the first long exposure Lum. came through, I was totally in awe...



Hi Mike :hi:

The pun about focus is relevant. I now spend as much time as it takes to get it right. Tried your technique, but now use a EAF automated by SGP.
It takes ages.
Wish I new why that 'green algae' appears after uploading to IIS...

[multiweb]

Cool field. The one bottom right has some interesting details. :thumbsup:

[PKay]

Thanks Marc, wish I had a bigger scope...don't we all :)

[Startrek]

Peter
Fantastic image to capture so many galaxies in the frame and pretty good resolution and detail for your big refractor
Nicely documented as well
Very professional
Well done !!
Martin

PS: how to you find your EQ8-R pro mount
I’ve heard a lot of complaints about them on CN especially the multi port USB hub not even rated USB3 and giving trouble with connectivity etc...

[AdamJL]

I love galaxy cluster images and this is a beaut.
Wish these would appear in Stellarium. When I look at this region, it's empty. I wouldn't have known it was there. Without enabling the labels, how would you even know?!

[PKay]

Thanks M.
Regards to the EQ8 hub:
I took your advice and bought high quality USB3 cables. Everything has to be plugged in, in a particular order, otherwise problems.
Of course all the latest drivers for Ascom.
Also latest and greatest Laptop running Win10.

Regards to general operation:
Perfect.



Thanks Adam.
With Stellarium, zoom right in and push the 'hints' slider all the way.
Set up the Scope and Sensor for your equipment and use the 'camera view'.

[Startrek]

Adam,
Here’s my procedure to set up Stellarium
All observable objects including galaxies are there you just have to select the relevant objects in Sky and Viewing Options Window (F4 tab)
Attached is my basic set up for both observing and imaging
Martin