Centaurus Galaxy Cluster - FLI PL16803

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Well it took a while but I finally got out for a couple of nights of fiddling and testing the new camera-filterwheel system.... ........ ....

The first target for the new system was veeeery carefully chosen ... for two reasons 1) I have always wanted to image (part of) this distant group of thousands of galaxies and it was on my list of potential targets. 2)....err?..the first night had a big hole right there in the sky aaaaand I was impatient

For some unknown reason I had an issue with my Lum shots with a touch of egging happening for some reason but it is only noticable at full res, funny, the RGB subs were all pretty well perfect... The egging in the final LRGB was really only minor so I left it as is, de-egging causes more issues than it solves usually anyway....so ignore any eggs if ya notice them.. baulk begurk!

Warning, the files from this 16mega pixel beast are big and given the fov is some 1.65deg X 1.65deg the tiny size of these 150 million ly distant galaxies (largest is still under 4') means to appreciate them one must look at virtually 100% size images really.

So here are a few 100% crops (around 1Meg each) and a 50% size full frame (4.5meg) for a bit of surfing oportunity .

Full Frame 50% size (4.5meg)
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...34922/original

100% crops:
Central cluster area (1.6meg)
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...13257/original

Cool galaxy grouping 1 (900k):
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...13263/original

Cool galaxy grouping 2 (500k)
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...13260/original

And if ya just wanna see it all in one go have a surf around the enormous full 100% size full frame 16meg image here:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike20...35787/original

Mike

[DavidU (Dave)]

Omg !

[leon]

Wow Mike that last one is huge, but spectacular. nice work inded.

Leon

[Jeffkop (Jeff)]

Magnificent Mike ... wow there is a lot of stuff in that image ... couldnt see any eggs though. Its one of those images that ya need to look at for a long time to digest it all ... to think that represents a pin prick if you were to look at it with the unaided eye ... There is surely someone in another far off, millions of light years away place, sitting tonight saying the exact same thing.

As usual ... a treat Mike

[Peter Ward]

Mike....great to see you have the FLI-cam working....and no bones about it, technically, the images are "as good as it gets" with a 6" scope.

[gregbradley]

Fabulous image Mike and congrats on the new camera.
The PL16803 is a beauty.

Greg.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Soo many galaxies, huge indeed Mike, nice work and bodes well for full on, extreme WFW killer FOVs.

[DavidTrap (David)]

Pretty special!

DT

[Hagar (Doug)]

Mike that is magnificent. I'm not even going to attempt to count the fuzzies in this huge image.

Might pay to upgrade the camera text below the image to reflect your new baby correctly.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Yeah that's a load of galaxies in there. The high-res is remarkable. Cool stuff indeed.

[astroron (Ron)]

Brilliant Mike, Well Done

[CoolhandJo (Paul)]

Huge! Very nice indeed! Next level up stuff!

[Ken Crawford (KenC)]

Very nice work - I love the framing and there are so many wonderful targets in that shot.

Welcome to the LSCC = Large Square Chip Club

[richardo (Rich)]

Epic!
That is for the fov and for having your new camera...
On my 24" mon, brought the full res image right out to get the best feel of the overall image.... specky

NOW, you must be pleased!

Hope the weather plays ball so you can get some more time with your new, lovely, bloody big expensive toy

Have lots of fun

All the best
Rich

[Octane (Humayun)]

:cryface:

That's just sensational. I think I have a potential target for maybe a 3rd or 4th light. So many galaxies, waa waa!

H

[JD2439975 (Justin)]

Congrats on a most spectacular first light Mike, that's an orsm image.

Especially love NGC 4650a in the top left corner, most unusual galaxy.

[bmitchell82 (Brendan)]

mike thats just one phatt ass image! its amazing what you can pick up! and now its really putting that good old 3" FF to good use! imagine if you dropped a FR into the mix UWFW... Ultra wide field whoose!

[Doomsayer]

Yes this cam will defintely be a killer for that fast newt astrograph you are fishing for. Another testament to the surprising reach of a premium 6" apo.

cheers
guy

[telecasterguru (Frank)]

Unbelievable.

Frank

[SkyViking (Rolf)]

That's an outstanding image, what a huge and deep field! Congratulations with your new toy Mike Now I want one too!