Another Black Hole Candidate - NGC 1365

PhotonCollector (Paul) · #1 31-10-2005, 10:39 AM

Hi all,

The first image is another of my favourite galaxies, NGC 1365, a spiral-barred galaxy and black hole candidate. Our almost face-on line of sight to this galaxy gives us a perfect view of this spiral galaxy with its distinct bar crossing the galactic core and connecting each of this galaxy's massive spiral arms. NGC 1365 is around 200,000 light years across at its widest span and we see this galaxy from 60-Million light years away appearing in the southern constellation of Fornax. NGC 1365 is easily observed in amateur telescopes and appears 11.2' x 6.9' arc-minutes in size and glows at Magnitude 9.9b. This image is approximately 25' arc-minutes wide.

The second image is a 3x enlargement of the core region of NGC 1365. The nucleus of this galaxy is pin-pointed by the bright yellow-orange object at centre image, bright blue-white regions, north and south of the nucleus, are regions where star formation is taking place at a furious rate. Lanes of dark matter which fan out along the galactic bar can be traced extending from the galaxy nucleus. Other star forming regions highlight each of the two spiral arms though these regions are producing stars at a much more casual rate than the regions near the galaxy's nucleus.

Thanks for looking.

Paul M.

ving (David) · #2 31-10-2005, 11:05 AM

brilliant paul and informative too... an explanation is alway better that just looking at the picture

atalas · #3 31-10-2005, 04:40 PM

Nice Paul !

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 31-10-2005, 05:46 PM

Nice shot Paul. Another interesting area of astronomy opening up to the amateur with a camera, black hole hunting. Who'da thunk it ten years ago?

Just tell me though, where are you guys who are posting DSOs getting the clear skies from?

Striker (Tony) · #5 31-10-2005, 05:55 PM

Ecellant stuff Paul

Yes Paul (1Ponders)....what happened to our sunny state.....

PhotonCollector (Paul) · #6 31-10-2005, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Striker

Ecellant stuff Paul

Yes Paul (1Ponders)....what happened to our sunny state.....

Thanks,

Arr, I think the weather knows we all have our astro-rigs ready to
capture photons.

I thought I saw a blue patch of sky a while ago!

Paul M

tornado33 · #7 31-10-2005, 06:26 PM

Yes indeed, great images Paul. As I type I see black cloud building from the west. Im keen for some early morning imaging of M42, and possibly Mars too while its so close to us.
Scott

Itchy · #8 31-10-2005, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tornado33

Yes indeed, great images Paul. As I type I see black cloud building from the west. Im keen for some early morning imaging of M42, and possibly Mars too while its so close to us.
Scott

Scott

Don't like your chances tonight. Storms about!

Paul, Great images! You captured the detail at the core where my poor guiding smudged it out!

PhotonCollector (Paul) · #9 02-11-2005, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Nice shot Paul. Another interesting area of astronomy opening up to the amateur with a camera, black hole hunting. Who'da thunk it ten years ago?

Just tell me though, where are you guys who are posting DSOs getting the clear skies from?

Newcastle skies are not too bad. When the astro-season is on (during the no moon period) all I need is a clearing in the sky sometimes- and i'll be out there. That's about all we've been getting up here. Though last night was clear and looks like tonight will be too.

Paul

PhotonCollector (Paul) · #10 02-11-2005, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

brilliant paul and informative too... an explanation is alway better that just looking at the picture

Thanks Ving, I find it interesting myself to find what facts I can about some of the objects I image - it adds to joy of the hobby and sometimes helps what we are looking at too.

Paul M

Iddon · #11 02-11-2005, 09:36 PM

No clear skies up here in Toowoomba