NGC 1269 in Eridanus

[TR]

This unusual galaxy has two names, NGC 1291 and NGC 1269. It can be located in the constellation of Eridanus and is about 33 million light-years away. It has two interesting features; the first must be the beautiful rings presented almost face-on. Another is that the galaxy contains an inner bar at its core.

Two thin spiral arms making up the outer ring area have a blueish colouring that suggests they are relatively young and most likely have star formation occurring. As we move toward the centre, we transition towards a yellowish hue. This area comprises much older stars; most likely, star formation has stopped.

This dataset I collected was certainly dim. As a test, I didn’t bin the colour data like usual, and the resulting RGB dataset was challenging to work with. Honestly, the signal was very dim everywhere, including the luminance component. My goal was to reveal the inner features and dust lanes near the galaxy's core and the almost translucent rings that encircle the galaxy. I always love seeing galaxies off in the distance through the main object in any photograph, and there are several here.

Instruments:

Telescope: 10" Ritchey-Chrétien RCOS
Camera: SBIG STL-11000 Mono
Mount: Astro-Physics AP-900
Focal Length: 2310.00 mm
Pixel size: 9.00 um
Resolution: 0.82 arcsec/pix


Exposure Details:

Lum 27 X900
Red 8 X900
Green 8 X900
Blue 12X900


Total Exposure: 13.75 Hours

Thanks for looking

Terry

Astrobin Link: (https://www.astrobin.com/0tg3xm/)
Flickr Link: (https://www.flickr.com/photos/97807083@N00/53235880658/in/dateposted/)

[TrevorW]

Another nice one Terry :)

[alpal]

What a great picture Terry,
it compares well with the best pictures I can find.


cheers
Allan

[TR]

Thanks mate.

Cheers Allan :thumbsup:

[Andy01]

Stunning image of a fascinating object Terry, really well done! :thumbsup:

[Addos]

Thats very nice Terry! Very nice saturation in the main object and good job on the curves to show the little bits of interstellar medium floating nearby.... I like it alot!

[TR]

Thanks Andy. It was a very dim object with fairly low signal.

Thanks Addos. The part I like most is at the 2-3 o'clock position near the core, the very subtle structures in there. Very cool indeed.

[matlud]

Beautiful image Terry!

[joshman]

Fantastic image of a fantastic object!

[strongmanmike]

Looking good Terry, it's a unique looking galaxy this one, including with the two NGC No's..? :)

You have reminded me, I started on an image of this way back in 2018 but never finished it :doh:..it was an end of session project start that I never got to go back to for one reason or another.

Mike

[Dave882]

Looking amazing Terry. Love the attention to detail in your processing. Lovely!

[TR]

Thanks Dave


Yes, the NGC Processing Desk must have had a busy day. ;) It's a dim guy. I looked at it and thought, should I or shouldn't I.... It looked to cool not to have a go.


Thanks Joshman Those rings are unique.


Thanks man. :thumbsup:

[alan meehan]

Now theres a different galaxy well done thanks for sharing