Messier Galaxy Hunt - 20D & ED80

[[1ponders]]

A few more shots from my mad scramble to make the most of clear skies this week (2008-05-01).

1. Messier group from Leo; M95, M96 and M105

2. Messier and Markarian Chain (faint ;) ); M88, M91, NGC4459 (and friends), NGC4477 and NGC4473.

3. Full size crop of M88. I am pleasantly surprise with how much detail the ED80/WOII FR is able to bring out.

Details: ED80/WO II FR/Canon 20D (M), ea 5/5min@ISO800 (I know more shots for longer :P ) ICNR. No flats (again :ashamed: ) Aligned and stacked in IP, processing in PS CS2.

[programmer]

Great images.. I love seeing multiple galaxies in wider field. Galaxies would be my favourite target, if only they were a bit more rewarding for the visual observer :(

[iceman]

No flats! You lazy sod!

[h0ughy]

at least you imaged Mr Ponders - nice assortment

[shane shaw]

very nice mate

[Matty P]

A very nice collection of Galaxies you have there Paul.

Looking very good.

Well done.

[renormalised]

Very very nice shots. Heaps of background galaxies in the 2nd shot!!!.

[leon]

Great job Mr Ponders, ;) you have captured these very well indeed. :thumbsup:

leon :thumbsup:

[seeker372011]

most productive indeed

[prokyon]

I agree! The quality ot the ED ist great!
I love these wide field pictures!

Cheers

werner

[Garyh]

fantastic results Paul and all with a ED80 as well!
I love shots like these!
cheers Gary

[[1ponders]]

Thanks for the positive feedback guys. I'm having a whale of a time with this new camera/scope combo. The slightly smaller pixels certainly seem to have added something to the resolution compared to what I have been achieving previously with the 300D. Add to that the much lower noise quotient I'm a very happy camper atm :D

I'm even thinking of pushing the limit and hooking up the 20D to my 8" sct and seeing what it can do, assuming of course I can get my mount to autoguide well enough at a 2m fl. :P Maybe I'll try the 6.3 FR and see how that pans out first ;)