First go at the Antennae Galaxies

[Garyh]

Hi Folks,
Hasn`t the weather been great for most of us on the east coast. Not getting much sleep but I am not complaining .
Well here is my attempt of the interacting galaxies known as the Antennae or ringtail galaxies NGC 4038/4039.
Not quiet up to Strongmanmike image but I don`t think it came out too bad?
The tails or antenna`s are only just visible but they are there!
Seeing was good but fog rolled in and out and as a conscience some frames were a bit dim and some were trashed when the guidestar faded away.
Ok, details are 20 x 6 min at iso 800 with 6" f/5.6 newt and modded Canon 300D. Guided with a elcheapo 70mm refractor and toucam using PHD software.
All comments are most welcome....
Cs Gary

[leon]

Very impressive Gary, it is a difficult little bugger to image, but you have done it justice. nicely done.

Leon

[Ric]

Well done Gary a lovely capture, the extensions are starting to show up nicely but as Leon said they are tough critters to capture.

Cheers

[jase (Jason)]

Good work Gary. These are tough targets to get good details on. Personally, I don't think Mike's AP155 did much justice on these targets. A much longer focal length is required. The ol' horses for courses applies. Overall, well done.

[EzyStyles (Eric)]

thats a stunner of a shot gary. gee'ss alot of central details and can see the twirls. love the blue stars around it also.

[anthony.tony]

I had a look at it in a 4inch apo refractor then 12 inch Dob. then in a 18 inch dob with a good nagler eyepiece.It was a bugger to see in the big 18inch Dob.You have done well pleny of detail.You can even see some tail coming out of it . Tony

[Tamtarn]

Super shot Gary, you have captured a lot of detail on an object so small.

[sheeny (Al)]

Very nicely done, Gary!

Any plans to go deeper to pick up the tails more and then do a HDR composite?

Al.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Great effort that Gary, it's a really interesting target no matter what FL you use


Mike

[Garyh]

Originally Posted by leon

Very impressive Gary, it is a difficult little bugger to image, but you have done it justice. nicely done.

Leon

Thanks Leon, you are not wrong there. Hopefully next time I shall get clearer skies and get deeper..
cheers

Originally Posted by Ric

Well done Gary a lovely capture, the extensions are starting to show up nicely but as Leon said they are tough critters to capture.

Cheers

Thankyou Ric! much appreciated...

Originally Posted by jase

Good work Gary. These are tough targets to get good details on. Personally, I don't think Mike's AP155 did much justice on these targets. A much longer focal length is required. The ol' horses for courses applies. Overall, well done.

Thanks Jase! Yeah a 14" RC on a PME would suit this little critter but that doesn`t stop me..
cheers Gary

Originally Posted by EzyStyles

thats a stunner of a shot gary. gee'ss alot of central details and can see the twirls. love the blue stars around it also.

Thanks Eric... I am quiet happy with it as I only have 850mm FL.
cheers mate.

Originally Posted by anthony.tony

I had a look at it in a 4inch apo refractor then 12 inch Dob. then in a 18 inch dob with a good nagler eyepiece.It was a bugger to see in the big 18inch Dob.You have done well pleny of detail.You can even see some tail coming out of it . Tony

Thanks Tony, hows thing going? I bet it would be hard to see visually.
I am pleased with the result...can`t wait to finish my new and improved 8" newt!..

Originally Posted by Tamtarn

Super shot Gary, you have captured a lot of detail on an object so small.

Thanks Barb and Dave! it is a small traget but worth a go!
cheers

Originally Posted by sheeny

Very nicely done, Gary!

Any plans to go deeper to pick up the tails more and then do a HDR composite?

Al.

Thanks Al, I will certainly do it again but might wait to the 8" scope is in commission.
thanks again...

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Great effort that Gary, it's a really interesting target no matter what FL you use


Mike

Not wrong there Mike...thanks for that...
thanks Gary..

[skeltz (Rob)]

good detail there gary ,you certainly get the most out of that little newt don,t you!!