Fornax Galaxy Cluster

[rogerg]

G'day all,

I took this shot back in October but haven't had the time to get it on my website until a few days ago, and now finally put a post here.

It's of the Fornax area, with NGC 1365 in the frame of course. There's lots of galaxies in there, I'm really really happy with how many the 350D has managed to pick up. Taken with my Megrez 90 using FFv3 so relatively large FOV with focal length of ~600mm.

I had the shot printed at 50cm x 40cm and it's stunning :D This is the kind of shot I just love - galaxies, lots of them, some with detail and some so small you can just imagine how old and far away they are!

I think my favorites are the almost-edge-on galaxies which show some colour variation from centre to edge. And the irregular galaxy down the bottom which I wasn't expecting to show.

Technically it could be better of course. For one, the WO FFv3 has over-corrected the edges somwhat resulting in some stars bing somewhat cross-like. But overall this is minor and only noticeable to us perfectionists:), considering the gear, I'm very happy :thumbsup:

http://www.rogergroom.com/items/fornax_galaxy_cluster_ngc1365

Enjoy :thumbsup:

Now trying to choose another nice field like this to shoot on the coming weekend :)

Roger.

[seanliddelow]

Great image Roger :thumbsup:

I especially like the barred spiral galaxy at the top right of the frame:thumbsup:

Would longer exposures bring out more of this groups galaxies?

Im definitely going to be at Tammin on Monday to spie out this group

[rogerg]

Thanks Sean :)

Longer exposures would bring out more galaxies. There's a lot more galaxies in the FOV and I think in exposures of twice the length, under the same dark skies, I would get a several more of them.

However, personally I don't think longer exposures are worth it for me. The 350D is only so sensitive and really I just need a more sensitive camera and until that time I'd rather move on to other objects than to spend twice as long taking the same area to have more faint galaxies show up when I already have 15+ :)

I think I worked out my limiting mag of galaxies seems to be around the mag 16 mark for this image.

[seanliddelow]

Thats awesome limiting magnitude:lol:
I would probably go longer exposures as Im a deep sky nut;)

Im hoping to to some deep-sky exposures myself when I get the Argonavis and Servocat
I dont know how well that would go though.

[multiweb]

That's a really deep shot. Gotta be stoked with that one. You nailed focus and guiding. Real smooth process to. Top shelf. :thumbsup:

[Kevnool]

Great clear image in a great part of the sky.
Cheers Kev.

[AlexN]

Nice!

I too love these wide field shots that are just chock full of galaxies... I plan to do a shot similar to this one at 480mm on Coma Berenices...

[Garyh]

Yes I agree, I love these sort of shots! Galaxies galore.
Isn`t that a PN at the bottom middle of your frame. Can`t remember it`s designation but?
cheers

[rogerg]

Thanks everyone, glad you like it too :)

Gary - it's definitely a galaxy, I found the matching designation in TheSky on Saturday but have forgotten it right now :rolleyes: .. it was an NGC, and an irregular galaxy. There's actually another one slightly to the left and up from it, same colour, but is much smaller and fainter :)

[slippo74]

fantastic! love it...:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Yeh that's a great grouping Roger! Really good capture and nice framing.

I want to do this field before it moves out of range too, its a great field.

Mike

[telecasterguru]

Roger,

That is an awe inspiring image. OOdles of galaxies to get lost in. Brilliant.

Frank

[rogerg]

Glad you all like it :thumbsup: Thanks for the replies, much appreciated :)

I just saw this APOD which is a similar type of thing and stunning:
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap091203.html

[Ric]

That's a beauty Roger, lovely and crisp.

Well done

[CoombellKid]

Lovely shot!!!

Cheers,CS

[renormalised]

Nice shot, Roger!!:D:D

You know, there was probably someone in 1365 doing exactly the same thing as you did there, only in our direction, on that very same night. Probably now talking to his mates on their equivalent forum about his shot and what everyone thinks of it:D:D

[rogerg]

I had the same thought :)

[Paul Haese]

That is a nice shot Roger. Heaps of small galaxies and I really like the composition of the shot. Nice going.

[renormalised]

What a pity you can't swap shots:D:D

[bmitchell82]

I remember you taking that shot :) the poor megrez twins where lonely for most of the night :) a credit to the smoothness of your kit! and to the processing of such a image!

[seanliddelow]

Was it taken at the astrocamp?
Im suprised it wasnt ruined by the big laser pointer trevor made.

[rogerg]

Well that's what you think ;)


"the megrez twins" ... I like that :lol: The kit did run smooth that weekend, was great, so rare :):sad:


Yeap, taken at astro camp ... lasers don't bother me to be honest... it's extremely rare I have one in the shot, in fact it's only when I'm pointing it from right next to the scope :)