The Leo Triplet

[DiscoDuck]

This is a 2x1 mosaic of the Leo Triplet, captured with an RC8 (focal reduced to 1200mm) and ZWO 1600MM on a Mach1 in outback SA.

Most of the data was taken on a trip there last weekend, though the colour data on M65/M66 was taken last month there and the colour data and a bit of the luminance on NGC 3628 a few years ago.

There is about 6 hours of luminance in each panel. About 1 hour each of RGB in one panel and 0.5 hour each in the other. 5 minute subs.

Astrobin version is here (https://www.astrobin.com/full/k4s9h2/0/).

Finally starting to break (a bit!) the recent curse of continuous clouds and even rain in the Flinders Ranges! :)

[multiweb]

Outstanding :thumbsup:

[markas]

Great image!


Mark

[keller60]

Wow. Looks like the sort of result you would expect from much larger aperture instrument, with great resolution and processing.

Well done :thumbsup:

[DiscoDuck]

Thank you Marc, Mark and Bill.

Re resolution, I guess the collimation is quite good on that scope ... and it seems to hold collimation for ages (including over gravel roads to travel to dark sites!).

[strongmanmike]

Yeah, that's a fine Leo Triplet Paul, nice work :thumbsup:

So, been cloudy and raining in the Flinders huh? How often do you get up there?

Mike

[DiscoDuck]

Thanks Mike. Normally about 5 times a year. Usually spring/autumn. Last October/November we were there and there was a MASSIVE downpour - something like 100mm. Roads impassable for a while. This time got say 2 or so clear nights out of 4. Best for a while :(

The property owners of course welcomed the rain. We were less enthused!

[topheart]

Absolutely awesome!
Cheers,
Tim

[DiscoDuck]

Thanks Tim.

[strongmanmike]

I can imagine :rolleyes: :doh:

[AUST2000]

Terrific image, well done

[gregbradley]

A remarkable image. Incredibly sharp. Look at those pinpoint stars! Wow.

Greg.

[DiscoDuck]

Thanks Andrew.



Thanks so much, Greg.

[alpal]

Hi Paul,
that's an incredible result - it's sharp and has nice colour.

From the Flinders Ranges the highest those galaxies rise is about 45 degrees
making your result much harder to get.




cheers
Allan

[DiscoDuck]

Thanks Allan. Yes, followed them till about 30 degrees above the northern horizon.

[TrevorW]

Noice :)

[DiscoDuck]

Ta! :)

[PKay]

Outstanding resolution and detail.

Very well done Paul :thumbsup:

[DiscoDuck]

Thank you :)

[alpal]

Hi Paul,

You've done very well indeed.
The pic is so sharp that it looks like they
were overhead 90 degree targets.


cheers
Allan

[DiscoDuck]

Thanks