Images of the Universe
The
Galaxy M66 in the Constellation Leo.
M66 is a class Sb spiral and was discovered by P. Mechain in
1780. It has
a magnitude of 9.7 and is bright enough to be observed with a
4 inch scope
from a dark site M66 is about 8x3 arc minutes in size. In a
low power telescopic
field, the galaxies NGC3628 and M65 can be seen as a trio with
M66. The
heavy dust lanes can easily be seen in this image. M66 was
imaged with
a C14 @ f/3.8 on 3/27/00. This image was taken from Houston
Texas with
exposures of L=60 min., R=G=B=20 min
M88
in the Constellation Coma Bernices. M88
is an Sb spiral that is about 6 by 3 arc minutes in size and
lies in the
mist of the great Virgo-Coma galaxy cluster. At magnitude
10.5, it makes
a fine view in amateur size telescopes under dark skies. This
galaxy was
discovered by Messier in the year 1781 although it was not
until Lord Rosse
viewed it that it's spiral form was determined. M88 is about
60,000 light
years in diameter and is at a distance of 40 million light
years. This
image of M88 is a WCMY taken with a C14 and a ST6 CCD. It was
taken from
Houston, Texas on 04/17/1999; with exposure times of
W=C=M=Y=20 minutes.
Irregular
Galaxy NGC4449 in the Constellation Canes Venatici.
This
irregular galaxy has the distinction of appearing rectangular
in shape.
It is about 4 by 3 arc minutes in size and is magnitude 10.5.
In this image
star clusters can be seen embedded within the galaxy. This
image was taken
from Houston, Texas on 3/15/99 with a ST6 and C14 @ /11.
W=40min, C=M=Y=25min.
The
Edge on Galaxy NGC4216 in the Constellation Virgo.
This
galaxy is similar in temperance to M65 or M104 with their
prominent dust
lanes. It is a member of the Virgo cluster that contains
several thousand
galaxies. The Virgo cluster is about 40 million light years
away and is
the largest "close" cluster of galaxies. NGC4216 is joined by
two other edge on galaxies at the eyepiece of a scope with a
field of view
of at least 40 arc minutes. This galaxy is 7 by 1 arc minutes
in size and
is about magnitude 11. This image is a WCMY and was made from
Houston,
Texas on 3/14/99 with a ST6 and a C14 @ f/7. W=60min,
C=M=Y=23min.
The
Face On Spiral Galaxy M83 in the Constellation Hydra.
M83 has well defined spiral arms with prominent dust lanes
embedded between
the spiral arms. M83 is 10 million light years away and has a
luminosity
of 5 billion suns and has a diameter of 30,000 light years. It
is a member
of a small cluster of galaxies which includes NGC5128, the
radio galaxy.
M83 is 10 arc minutes in size and magnitude 8. This image was
made from
Danciger Texas on 2/14/99 with a C8 @ f/6.3 and a ST6 CCD.
This is a WCMY
with C=M=Y=13 minutes. The W image was made from the CMY
images.
The
Galaxy NGC2683 in the Constellation Lyn. This
galaxy is classified as a Sb and is seen nearly edge on. It is
rather large
with dimensions of 9 by 1.3 arc minutes. NGC2683 is rather
bright for galaxy,
at magnitude 10.6, and should be visible in a six inch scope
from a dark
sky site. This image was taken from Houston, Texas on
1/9/1999. It is a
WCMY with W=45 min. and C=M=Y= 25 min. Taken with a C14 at f/7
with a ST6
CCD.
M104,
Spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo. The "Sombrero"
galaxy's
most notable feature is the pronounced equatorial dust lane.
The sombrero
is about 40 million light years from earth and is believed to
be a member
of the Virgo cluster. Its apparent diameter of 7 arc minutes
is equivalent
to a diameter of 82,000 light years. Long exposure images
taken with large
telescopes reveal a large population of globular clusters
surrounding it's
equatorial bulge. This image was made by combining a RGB image
by Al Kelly
taken with a C8 and a monochrome image taken by Ed Grafton and
a C14. The
C8 RGB by Al Kelly was 4 minutes R, 8 minutes G, and 14
minutes B with
a CB245 CCD. The C14 monochrome image was 40 minutes with a
C14 @ f/7 and
a ST6 CCD.
Very
Remote Galactic Cluster Abell2151 in the constellation
Hercules. Forty
minute exposure with a C14 @ f/7 and a ST6 CCD.
NGC3395
and3396 in the constellation Leo Minor. These galaxies appear
to be interacting
with each other. Each is about 1 arc minute in size and are
about magnitude
12.5. This is a WRGB of 27 minutes W, 15 minutes R, 30 minutes
G and 45
minutes B. Taken with a C14 at f/7 and a ST6 CCD from Houston,
Texas on
02/20/98.
NGC4214,
irregular galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. This
Magellanic-type
irregular has bright star forming regions near it's center.
The interstellar
medium surrounding the center has been disrupted, with a clear
separation
between stars, gas and dust. The structure of the galaxy and
the detection
of several peculiar and active features strongly suggest that
violent processes
(most likely several supernova explosions) are responsible for
the disruption.
NGC4214 is about 7 arc minutes in diameter and magnitude 10.5
This image
was taken with a C14 @ f/7 and a ST6 CCD on 1/23/99 from
Houston, Texas.
This is a WCMY with exposures of W=C=M=Y=25 minutes.
M99,
located in the constellation Coma Bernices. M99 is about 50
million light
years from the Milky Way and shines brightly at magnitude
10.5, with an
absolute diameter of 50,000 light years. It is about 5 arc
minutes in diameter
as seen from Earth and has a very well defined spiral pattern,
type Sc.
It's spiral arms are laden with star clouds and nebulous
regions, making
it one of the more beautiful galaxies. This was the second
galaxy to be
recognized by Lord Rosse as a spiral in 1848, after M51. This
is a WCMY
image of 25 min each of C, M, & Y. The W (monochrome)
image is 40 minutes.
Taken with a C14 @ f/7 and a ST6 CCD on 03/31/98 from Houston,
Texas.
M65,
Sb Spiral galaxy in the constellation Leo. Located about 35
million light
years from earth this galaxy is large and bright. It's
diameter is about
60,000 light years and from Earth appears about 10 arc minutes
across. It
forms a trio with two other large galaxies, M66 and NGC3628.
This image
was made by combining a LRGB image by Al Kelly taken with a C8
and a monochrome
image taken by Ed Grafton and a C14. The C8 LRGB by Al Kelly
was 13 minutes
M, 5 minutes R, 12.5 minutes G and 17.5 minutes B on 02/06/98
with a CB245
CCD. The C14 monochrome image was 40 minutes with a C14 @ f/7
and a ST6
CCD.
M98...5/05/97...C14...@f/7...40min...Houston,
Texas.
Forty images from one minute integrations.
NGC1055...
Sb type spiral. This 12th magnitude spiral has a rather low
surface brightness.
It's spectacular dust lane and overall structure is somewhat
similar to
the better known sombrero galaxy. I had considered this galaxy
out of reach
in my light polluted skies but a 120 minute exposure pulled it
out nicely
from the 3.5 magnitude sky. C14 @ f/7 and a ST6 on 11/23/97.
NGC
3628 in the constellation Leo. This edge on Sb type galaxy has
a very prominent
dust lane that can easily be seen against the core of the
galaxy. NGC3628
is 12 by 2 arc minutes in size and is magnitude 10.3. Located
near by are
the galaxies M65 and M66. This trio makes for a nice view
through a richest
field low power telescope from a dark site. This image was
made from Danciger
Texas on 2/13/99 with a C8 @ f/6.3 and a ST6 CCD. This is a
WCMY with C=M=Y=26
minutes. The W image was made from the CMY images.
Galaxy
NGC 3294 in the constellation Leo Minor. This small galaxy is
2.7 by 1.2
arc minutes in size. It has a magnitude of 11.7. This is a
good visual
target for a 10 inch scope under dark skies. Higher power and
larger scopes
may reveal its spiral structure. This image is a LRGB taken
with a C14
and a ST237 CCD from Houston Texas on 3/11/00. L=45 minutes,
R=G=B=10 minutes.
NGC7339(left
galaxy) and NGC7332 in the constellation Pegasus. These small
galaxies
form an interesting pair. NGC7332 is an E7 (elliptical) type
galaxy and
is about 2 arc minutes in size. At magnitude 12 a large
amateur size scope
and dark skies will be necessary for a view visually. It's
companion, NGC7339,
is an SO(spiral) type that is seen nearly edge on from our
perspective.
This is a WCMY taken with a C14 and a CCD ST6 on 09/16/99 from
Houston,
Texas. The white(W) image is a 30 minute exposure at f/11 and
the CMY are
each 30 minute exposures taken at f/7.
NCG4490
and NGC4485. NGC4490( bottom) is commonly called the cocoon
galaxy because
of it's pear shaped appearance. Located in the constellation
of Canes Vanatica,
this galaxy is classified as an Sc type and is magnitude 10.1.
It is 5
by 2 arc minutes in size and its companion lies 3 arc-minutes
to it's north.
This image is a WCMY taken on 3/19/99 from Houston, Texas with
a C14 operating
at f/7 and a ST6 CCD. The exposure times are W=C=M=Y=20
minutes.
NGC1421
in the constellation Eridanus. This edge on spiral galaxy is a
Sb spiral
and is 3 by .6 arc minutes in size. It has a total magnitude
of 12.0 and
is located at 3h 40 min and -13.6 degrees declination. This
image was taken
with a C14 at f/7 and a ST6 CCD on 12/29/1998 from Houston Texas.
This
is a WCMY image with exposures of C=M=Y=15 minutes. The "W"
image
was made from the C & M & 2Y images for a total
exposure of 60
min.
Galaxy
NGC7541 and supernova 1998dh. NGC7541 is a small SB
spiral galaxy
in the constellation Pisces. It is magnitude 12.6 and is 2.7
arc minutes
in length. This galaxy is currently home to supernova 1998dh.
This supernovae
was discovered on July 20 at Lick Observatory and is currently
at about magnitude
16. The supernova is the blue star located at the western (
right ) end
of the galaxy. This is a WCMY image taken with a C14 at f/7
from Houston,
Texas on 10/26/98 using a ST6 CCD. W=25min, C=M=Y= 32min.
NGC4567/68
in the constellation of Virgo. NGC4568 is the larger of these
two galaxies
that appear to be colliding. NGC4568 is about 3.5 arc minutes
long and
is magnitude 11.9. Its companion NGC4567 is about 2.5 arc
minutes and is
magnitude 12.0. These galaxies were imaged 04/21/98 with a C14
@ f/7. This
is a WCMY of 40 min W, and 20 min. each C,M and Y.
NGC4302
and NGC4298 in the constellation Coma Bernices. NGC4302 is a
thin edge-on
galaxy with a pronounced equatorial dust lane. It is magnitude
12.9 and
is about 5 arc minutes long. It's companion is NGC4298 which
is a Sc type
spiral and is magnitude 11.9. It is about 3 arc minutes in
diameter. These
two galaxies make a fine site in LARGE amateur size telescopes
under clear
and dark skies. This image is a WCMY image of 25min W, and
20min each CMY.
This image was taken on 04/20/98 with a C14 at f/7 and a ST6
CCD from Houston,
Texas.
NGC7331...Sb
type Spiral galaxy in the constellation Pegasus. NGC7331 is
oriented about
20 degrees from edge on as seen from earth and contains the
equivalent
of about 140 billion solar masses. Located about 50 million
light years
from earth, NGC7331 has an apparent diameter of about 10 arc
minutes. At
magnitude 10, it makes a fine object to observe with amateur
size telescopes
under a dark sky. Galaxy group Stephan's Quintet is located
about 1/2 degree
SSW. Taken 08/30/97 with a 32 inch Newtonian from Danciger,
Texas. A ST6
CCD was used at the f/4 prime focus. This is a 12.5 minute
exposure made
from 30 second integrations.
NGC
253 is located in the constellation Sculpter and is the
brightest member
of the Sculpter group. It is relatively near to the Milky Way,
only 8 million
light years away. It's proximity to the Milky Way results in
it's large
apparent size of 25 arc minutes and it's bright magnitude if
7.5. This is
one of the finest galaxies to observe in a modest telescope
and is best
observed at the more southerly latitudes since it resides at a
declination
25 degrees South. This exposure was made with a C8 @ f/ 6.3
for 10 minutes
at Danciger Texas. This image is made from 20 integrations of
30 second
images with a ST6 CCD.
NGC
7741...this alternative representation of this barbed spiral
galaxy is
called a "surface plot". The surface plot can aid in picking
out features in an image which may not be obvious in a
standard representation.
The relatively faint surface brightness of 7741 required a 82
minute exposure
at my city imaging site....C14 @f/7 and a ST6 CCD on 9/25/97
Galaxy
group NGC 325, 327, 329 and MCG-1-3-45 in the constellation
Cetus. These
rather faint galaxies were imaged 11/03/97 from Houston Texas
with a C14
@ f/7 for 40 minutes with a ST6 CCD. NGC 325 is listed as
magnitude 16.
NGC
908 in the constellation Cetus. This is a Sc type spiral of
magnitude 11.1.
Burnham's Celestial Handbook list this galaxy as 4.0 by 1.3
arc minutes
but it appears to be larger in this field which is 11 by 8 arc
minutes.
This is a 40 minute exposure @ f/7 with a C14 and a ST6 CCD.
NGC
1365...SB type spiral in the constellation Fornax. NGC 1365 is
one of the
most luminous of all known barbed spirals with an absolute
magnitude of
-20. With a declination of -36 degrees it is not well placed
for many amateurs
in the USA. This image was taken from Danciger, Texas with a
C8 @ f/3.3
and a ST5 CCD for 35 minutes on 11/29/97.
NGC
1097. Spiral galaxy in the constellation of Fornax. NGC
1097 is listed
in Burnham's as 9 x 5.5 arc minutes in size with an apparent
magnitude
of 10.6. NGC 1097 was imaged with a C8 @ f/3.3 from Danciger
Texas for
32 minutes with a ST5 on 11/29/97.
NGC
5248...06/01/97...C14@f/7...40min...Houston, Texas.
NGC
5371...05/28/97...C14@f/7...75min...Houston, Texas.
NGC
5170...5/04/97...C14...@f/7...70min...Houston , Texas.
NGC
3631...4/14/97...C14...@f/7...67min...Houston, Texas.
T
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