The Devil's Mask

[Paul Haese]

This is an image of the Devil's Mask. It is a group of galaxies, namely NGC6769, NGC6770 and NGC6771.

The galaxies lie at a distance of about 190 Million light years from Earth. There is currently a merger occurring between the two main galaxies which is evidenced by the dust, gas and stars being drawn away from each galaxy.

Integration of the image is 10 hours of data. Seeing was variable during the data collection with one night being wiped out by the auroral display on May the 12th.

Click here (https://phaese.smugmug.com/Galaxies/i-WKmKVwJ/A) for the larger image

[strongmanmike]

Ah the Devils mask, I love the Devils mask, probably my favourite interacting pair, a really great shot Paul :thumbsup: I nearly started on it myself, so many objects are nearly's :rolleyes:

Top job

Mike

[alpal]

Wow Paul,
that's a fine image.

In my humble opinion -

It better than this ESO image with an 8.2 metre telescope:
https://www.eso.org/public/images/eso0413a/

It's better than the Capella version with a 600mm telescope:
http://www.capella-observatory.com/ImageHTMLs/Galaxies/NGC6771.htm

Only Chart32 beats it:
https://www.chart32.de/component/k2/galaxies/ngc6769-70-71-galaxy-triplett

cheers
Allan

[gregbradley]

That's another terrific image Paul. Is this with the 16inch or your 12 inch?

Greg.

[CoolhandJo]

wow lovely!

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys for the comments and compliments. It's a nice scope which is probably being robbed imaging at our altitude. Sub arc second imaging with it would be quite interesting.



This is with the 16" RCOS. Agree about the subarc second imaging. Pity I don't have a large mountain range nearby or if I could afford to put it at 4500m metres.

[joshman]

This is awesome! you've captured this one with exquisite detail and colour.

[RobF]

What a stunning field. Love it Paul :)

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Josh and Rob. :)

[g__day]

Really excellent capture and processing!

[markas]

Superb image, Paul!
A great target - but very distant.
Certainly one of the best renditions I've seen.
Mark

[ua1]

I assume the data was collected from the Swan Reach site. If so it is good to see the results it is yielding. A very fine image.