Centaurus A mega-data project 2013-2025 184hrs

[rmuhlack (Richard)]

By far my deepest image yet, this "mega-data" experiment combines all my NGC5128 data collected (April 2013-May 2025), across multiple telescope and OSC camera configurations - and at 184.6 hours would be one of the longest exposure OSC images published to date (as of June 2025) of this target.

Data sets from each equipment configuration were separately stacked (to create "sub-stacks") using fully calibrated sub-frames. Those "sub-stacks" were then registered to the 200PDS broadband sub-stack, and then broadband/narrowband separately integrated (to created a "stack of sub-stacks" for the broadband or narrowband data as appropriate) using PixInsight PSF Signal weighting and no rejection (as pixel rejection had already been implemented when pre-processing each sub-stack). NB added to BB data using procedure outlined here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJFUZY5p6yQ. Ha and OIII masks created using continuum subtraction method described here https://pixinsight.com/examples/M31-Ha/ (however stars were removed from BB and NB frames to simplify mask creation with pixelmath). Those Ha and OIII masks were used to isolate those emission areas and subsequently boost L and saturation.

Skywatcher 200PDS + QHY294C (Optolong UV-IR) = 309x300sec (July 2024-May 2025), Strathalbyn SA
Skywatcher 200PDS + QHY294C (Optolong L-extreme) = 264x600sec (May 2025), Strathalbyn SA
Sharpstar13028HNT + ZWO ASI294MC Pro (Optolong L-Enhance) = 75x300sec (May 2025), Strathalbyn SA
Sharpstar13028HNT + QHY533C (Optolong L-Enhance) = 392x180sec (April 2023), Strathalbyn SA
Sharpstar13028HNT + QHY533C (Optolong UV-IR) = 167x180sec (April-May 2025), Strathalbyn SA
Sharpstar13028HNT + QHY533C (Optolong UV-IR) = 275x300sec (May 2025), Strathalbyn SA
Celestron 130SLT (modded) + modded/cooled Canon 450D (Astronomik L) = 131x480sec (Feb-March 2015), Strathalbyn SA
Vixen VC200L + modded/cooled Canon 1000D (Astronomik L) = 82x600sec (Feb 2015), Strathalbyn SA
Celestron 130SLT (modded) + modded Canon 1000D (Astronomik L) = 296x180sec (March 2014), Strathalbyn SA
Vixen VC200L + modded Canon 400D (Astronomik L) = 89x300sec + 28x600sec (April 2013), Griffith NSW

Total integration 184.6 hours

Astrobin version here: https://app.astrobin.com/i/cz7nhy

[Pierre_C]

Wow - what an interesting object, Richard.

As a visual observer, I struggle to see anything of this galaxy from my suburban location. Your image shows how much is actually there if you look at it long enough.

[pmrid (Peter)]

I see your image/s have captured part of the jet stream - an elusive target at best. Well done.

[Crater101 (Warren)]

That's a serious commitment resulting in a seriously good capture! My compliments.

[gregbradley]

A tremendous effort and fabulous image. It shows the value of keeping your archival data.

Greg.

[astronobob (Bob)]

Woah, thats something else, experiments are way cool, Well done and great result