Took three very character-building nights to get this mono shot of a rich field of galaxies including the tiny but beautiful NGC 4622 and NGC 4603 in Centaurus.
First night, the computer failed. We hurtled back down the hill in the Polaris with a full sized tower balanced on Trish's lap, and swapped for another in record time. Did the focus and composition, and then we saw the lightning flashes over Forbes way. They got closer, and brighter. We chickened out, closed the dome, and did darks. Clear as a bell by 3 am, but we were unconscious.
Next night, all looking beautiful, and then no guide stars. Stuck head outside. No sky either, again contrary to all known predictions. Got two 30 min subs. Again, frustratingly clear in the morning.
Third night was great, and we got 19 half-hour subs. So no colour here.
As well as the two main galaxies, which we think are very pretty, there are at least 98 friends showing sufficient form to be galaxies. The thumbnail is only to show where we think they are. It is too compressed to be of any other value.
The
REAL THING is here.