Ring of Blue

[Ken Crawford]

This galaxy has been shown many times and is like the M51 of the southern skies and there are many beautiful renditions of it. So, I wanted to show this subject a bit differently and was digging around in the data which is kind of like exploring space from a distance. I started seeing some interesting things buried in the halo of this mix-master blend of two galaxies. As you work out away from the core there is what seems like layers. I also came across a very faint blue arc of stars by looking at the blue channel. I looked around and found an APOD back in 2002 that was processed to reveal some of those features including the blue arc.

So my goal was to show the blue arc which you can see on the right side of the edge of the halo as well has an extension of the left side dust lane that seems to move up and protrude through the halo at the top.

But my favorite feature is the ring of blue star clusters around the core of this amazing galaxy where we see the results of mergers and a super massive black hole.

http://www.imagingdeepsky.com/Galaxies/CentaurusA/CentaurusA.htm (http://www.imagingdeepsky.com/Galaxies/CentaurusA/CentaurusA.htm)

Here is the link to the 2002 APOD that confirmed what I was seeing.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap021111.html (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap021111.html)

As always, thanks for taking the time to look . . .

Kindest Regards,

[Octane]

Ken,

A phenomenal image.

I just adore the soft brilliance of your stars.

A veritable feast for the eyes.

H

[luigi]

This image to me is just fantastic, congratulations!

[astroron]

Brilliant image Ken .
Thanks for posting

[gregbradley]

Wonderful image Ken. It looks best zoomed in where there is a wealth of detail.

There is also a blue jet at the top left that could be accentuated a bit more.

Greg.

[Paul Haese]

Yes superb image, up close I love the intricate detail. I can see Ha regions and the blue stars top and bottom from the dust lanes are incredible. Wonderful image.

[renormalised]

Fantastic image, Ken:)

Full of detail, yet understated. Everything flows into everything else.

[multiweb]

Wow! That's pretty cool. Very smooth with a wealth of details. Agree with H, your stars are unreal. :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Exquisite image Ken, I love it :thumbsup:

Yes those arcs were something I found fascinating in 2008 when I imaged Cen A very deeply (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/97061387/original) see the more enhanced versions that showcase the arcs and other detail in the halo here (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/108205041/original) and here (http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/108349883/original)

Mike

[Shiraz]

beautiful image Ken - subtle detail that does not smack you in the eye, but is there nonetheless. Looks real.

[Ken Crawford]

First, Thanks for all the kind comments . . .

And thank you Mike, I took a look at your images when I was exploring my data. They were very helpful and deep and very nicely processed! I looked at a bunch of images of this target as I always do.

The hard part for me was deciding how much to reveal without blowing out the core details and going for the Depth of Field approach. I did not quite have the FOV to show the exentions so I ended up with what I have. So I decided on going for the core details - the ring of blue star clusters and the blue arc as the target goals.

I have to admit that I started over after my first attempt. Thanks again for all of the encouragement and suggestions from this great group of imagers!

Kindest Regards,

[marc4darkskies]

Marvellous Ken, just marvellous!!! A benchmark image for sure! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Cheers, Marcus

[strongmanmike]

....don't worry Ken, as others on here will testify, I processed and reprocessed my Deep Cen A a number of times over about 4 months before I got the result I was after...IIS'ers were (mostly :whistle: ) quite tolerant :lol:. Reprocessing is very important to perfect :P

Mike

[RobF]

Amazing pic Ken.
I'm still picking my jaw up from when the 3rd zoom crystallised - I wasn't expecting that final quantum leap in resolution and detail. Wow. :eyepop:

[David Fitz-Henr]

Fantastic image Ken - well done!!

[jase]

Stunning work Ken. I like the subtly to the blue ring you've highlighted. Appears naturally processed, not often seen or at least emphasised the way you've done it. A visual feast! <two thumbs up>

[HCR32]

Really nice pic huge res.

[gregbradley]

I had another look at this image and it is astoundingly good.
I think you set a standard there that is beyond anything posted here before. The stars are amazingly perfect, the colours fabulous and interesting, background is perfect, detail is superb.

It seems perfect in every respect.

Its great to have someone so talented as yourself posting here and you can give us tips to improve our results.


Greg.

[Ken Crawford]

Thanks Greg and the rest of commented, you make me blush :thanx:. I very much enjoy helping forward this hobby and it is the main reason I am the President of AIC. This is a wonderful hobby filled with wonderful people and I do enjoy talking imaging and processing.

Let me just say that the image processing curve takes some time but it is not difficult, just detailed. There is some great help to be had out there including people in this fourm. IMHO one of the best ways to learn is with recorded tutorials. That is because you can rewind and learn at your own pace. I would suggest all of the free tutorials you can but it is also very much worth the money to get any tutorials that Adam Block, Tony Hallas, or Warren Keller does on image processing. They have hours of processing tutorials on DVD that will propell you up the image processing learning curve.

Thanks again and keep collecting photons!!

Regards,

[Remus]

Wow that's special. What I find amazing in it is the very small darkened spots in the outer glow regions. I've never seen that before. Very special indeed!

[Scorpius51]

That's a lovely image Ken. Well done.

Cheers
John

[Peter Ward]

Wish I could pick my 14" RC up and place it in a sublime dark sky...Damm. :)

A benchmark image to be sure :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Another fine image from a master artisan

[richardo]

Top shelf Ken!
Love your deep colours and detail.

Rich

[marco]

Very nice one Ken, truly impressive!

Clear Skies
Marco

[Ric]

Hi Ken, a wonderful image.

I find that I keep going back for another viewing.

Cheers