M64 Black Eye Galaxy

Jon (Jonathan) · #1 04-06-2013, 10:20 AM

A bit frustrating as I could only get 8 x 4 min subs on M64. They've turned out reasonably nice but I need much more data. Try again tonight. ISO800, Meade LX200 SCT 10" with f/6.3 fr.

Edit: added a new image with more data last night (4/6)

rogerg (Roger) · #2 04-06-2013, 10:04 PM

Not bad. I remember that middle bright point being hard to tame when I took CCD images of it years ago.

It is one of my favorite galaxies. Nice size for scope photography

Jon (Jonathan) · #3 04-06-2013, 10:37 PM

It's a bit low. Got some more data tonight but it's a bit hazy so I don't know how that will go.

E_ri_k (Erik) · #4 04-06-2013, 10:45 PM

Nice shot Jon. It's an interesting looking galaxy. Well done for a short exposure time

Erik

Larryp (Laurie) · #5 04-06-2013, 10:52 PM

Nice work, Jon

broca (Steve Coates) · #6 05-06-2013, 08:35 AM

It is a really cool target. Nice work, good luck collecting more photons!

Jon (Jonathan) · #7 05-06-2013, 02:53 PM

Got some more data - 18 x 4 mins at ISO1600.

It's an improvement - the image I posted is a composite of the two data sets. But it's not as much of an improvement as I would have suspected. I've only just moved into the city from a dark sky location, where ISO1600 was working fine for me. I'm suspecting that the sky glow might be a bit much for ISO1600. I'm getting the sense that 4-8 min subs at ISO800 might be the sweet spot for this camera/mount/location combination for these brighter extended objects.