NGC1365 and the Fornax Galaxy Cluster

[iceman]

Hi all

This image was taken on Tuesday night at our local darkish sky site, the Mangrove Mountain Pony Club on the Central Coast of NSW.

The image is of NGC1365 and the Fornax Galaxy Cluster, including NGC1399, NGC1404, NGC1387, NGC1381, NGC1382, NGC1389, NGC1386, NGC1379, NGC1374, NGC1375, NGC1373, NGC1427, NGC1369, IC1963, NGC1380 and probably more :)

Taken with the ED80 + unmodded 350D on the EQ6, auto-guided with the DMK21AF04.

12x 300s subs, plus 1x 600s sub all @ ISO800, sigma-median combined in ImagesPlus. I didn't take any darks on the night, but subtracted darks from a previous session. No flats.

I'm pretty happy with this shot, nice when it all comes together.

I've also attached a full-res crop of NGC1365.. small and grainy, but some good detail still. I'll take it :)

[Kal]

Looks good Mike, although with the amount of detail that is available in the full size crop it wants to make me see a larger version of the widefield view of the cluster! :)

[acropolite]

That first one is a ripper Mike.:thumbsup:

[Dennis]

Wow - so many galaxies, almost a case of galactic overcrowding! As Kal remarked, the detail in the full size NGC1365 is quite remarkable. Top job Mike.

Cheers

Dennis

[Garyh]

Very nice Galaxy cluster shot Mike! your deepsky shots are improving at a very rapid rate!!
cheers

[Ric]

Great images Mike, you've captured a wonderful amount of detail in the widefield. I think that you also captured NGC1360 a planetary nebula at the middle bottom of your image.

Cheers

[h0ughy]

very nice - love no 1

[[1ponders]]

Ah yes, I remember when.....the Fornax Cluster and NGC1365. Such memories. :P I still get that warm fuzzy feeling of success thinking back on the night.

Nicely done Mike. Looking good. :)

[janoskiss]

Fascinating widefield! Yes, show us more pixels please!

[h0ughy]

is that sorta like if you P##d in you pants??:whistle:;) Mike is fast loosing his crown of being a planet imager isnt he?:D

[bluescope]

Love seeing all those galaxies in one shot, wow !

:thumbsup:

[Tamtarn]

Another lovely image Mike. Love those galaxy cluster widefields

[ballaratdragons]

:eyepop: Hooly-Dooly!!!

Look at the Fornax Cluster!!!!!! Niiiiiiiiiice work, Mike. :thumbsup:

My favourite subject - Galaxy Clusters :)

[Lee]

Awesome stuff.... The detail in NGC1365 is fantastic.... :thumbsup:

[davidpretorius]

awesome..........what were you doing at a pony club mate??

[iceman]

Thanks Kal and Steve.
You can download the full-res jpeg here (saved at 11/12 quality):
1.1meg full-res jpeg (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/uploads/20071113-fornaxcluster-fullres.jpg)
Warts and all!


Thanks Dennis, I was surprised to see some outer arms in NGC1365 - definitely a target for future very long exposures from a dark sky.


Thanks Gary. You're 6" deep-space images have been a huge inspiration to me, and have motivated me to keep trying.


Thanks Ric, I was wondering what that object was. It didn't appear in SNP that I could find.


Thanks Paul - link me to your image!


Cheers Ken, i'm also fond of galaxy clusters now and look forward to giving Grus and Leo a go when time permits.


Chasing fillies around the top paddock :shrug: :lol:
The pony club (minus the horses) is a great semi-dark sky site nearby, only 30 minutes from home. With sydney 1 hour to the south and newcastle 1 hour to the north, it's not what I'd call dark, but it's much better than home.

The best skies are straight above and to the west and northwest.

Thanks again everyone - this cluster could do with more and longer exposures, but there's always next time.

[Straylight]

I saw the Fornax cluster visually on Monday night, and could count 8 galaxies in the field of view. It was the first time I had seen them and certainly was an incredible sight. I'm glad to see an image of them finally, as I hadn't seen one on this forum before.

[Alchemy]

youve taken to the deep space really well....showing others what a bit of determination can do:thumbsup: