M104 + unknown object

[Ken]

Hi. I processed M104 tonight. This stack of 29 x 4min images, from 8th May, contains a bright object in the lower right corner which is slowly moving over the 3.5 hours that the shots were taken. I continued imaging M104 the following night but the object is not there.

I hope someone on iceinspace might know what it is?

My scope is a 16" f5 newt. Camera used was a QHY8.

Clear skies
Ken

[Marko of Oz (Mark)]

That would be asteroid Iris that zipped by two weeks ago. Nice shot.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I like little astro surprises
Lucky you.

[Chippy (Nick)]

Very nice image :-) and the little extra is a very nice bonus. Well done!!

[Kirkus (Kirk)]

How cool is that!?

Very nice.

[spearo (Frank)]

How lucky!
congrats!
frank

[Dennis]

Hi Ken

That is an excellent image of M104, and Asteroid 7 Iris. See below links for further details on this encounter where I managed to record the same event using my Mewlon 180mm ‘scope and produced an animation of the event.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=31613

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=31492

Cheers

Dennis

[Matty P (Matt)]

A very nice image of M104 Ken.

Capturing the asteroid is a big bonus.

Well done.

[Garyh]

Good shot Ken ex with asteriod Iris in the same field...
Was thinking of doing this but the cloud had other ideas..
cheers Gary

[RB (Andrew)]

Well done Ken, v.nice capture.

[Ken]

Thanks everyone for your replies and Dennis for your amazing video clip. I now know it is minor planet Iris. I knew it had to be something large because of its brightness and slow motion against the stars. Its exciting when something unexpected turns up in your images. Here is the final processed image.

Clear skies,
Ken

[Dennis]

Hi Ken

The detail in M104 in your re-processed image is gorgeous. I also note that it is down sized from the original, which showed excellent auto guiding – nice round stars, especially at an fl of around 2000mm.

I’m intrigued by the lack of blooming in your images! I was shooting 5 min subs at F9.6 and you were shooting 4 min subs at F5, around 2 photographic stops faster! I guess it’s because my model ST7 doesn’t have anti-blooming gate technology, whereas the QHY8 must have anti-blooming implemented?

I’ll have to have a good, close look at the QHY8 as I’m looking to upgrade to a bigger chip than the 765x510 pixel ST7.

Cheers

Dennis