Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: Roberto on Mar 25, 2020, 16:38:47

Title: Clear skies - M63 - in progress ... Now Complete
Post by: Roberto on Mar 25, 2020, 16:38:47
After 3 nights of imaging, here's what I have to show for 15hrs of luminance.  I was going to acquire more L tonight but I doubt I will be able to get the outer tidal arms around M63 from Petts Wood (as per this one https://www.astrobin.com/403276/0/?real=&nc=user (https://www.astrobin.com/403276/0/?real=&nc=user)).  I may start taking colour instead.

Roberto

(https://cdn.astrobin.com/thumbs/1ds59xcJ4i99_1824x0_fL6YaBLj.jpg)

(https://cdn.astrobin.com/thumbs/nNbSlTP4vdz-_16536x16536_0WLB6cRc.jpg)
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress
Post by: Carole on Mar 25, 2020, 18:12:48
Great result Roberto, it's faint but I can already see the tidal arms or your image.

Carole 
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress
Post by: RobertM on Mar 25, 2020, 19:00:07
What an excellent result Roberto.  Comparing with the other image it almost looks like the tidal arms are starting to show but it's diffcult to see with the background.

Looking forward to see the full colour image.

Robert
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress
Post by: MarkS on Mar 25, 2020, 19:44:03
Wow, that is looking really excellent already.

We're enjoying a run of clear nights - finally!

Mark
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress ... Now Complete
Post by: Roberto on Mar 31, 2020, 15:07:51
Added ten more hours for a total of just above 24hrs.

https://www.astrobin.com/uymd1f/D/?nc=rbotero (https://www.astrobin.com/uymd1f/D/?nc=rbotero)

I was aiming to capture the tidal arms extending beyond the galaxy as shown here:

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080417.html
https://www.astrobin.com/403276/0/?real=&nc=user
https://www.astrobin.com/408924/0/?real=&nc=user

This was too difficult to do from London but by overstretching the L frame you can see a hint of them. Hopefully they did not become too washed out in the LRGB final version.
Check the annotated version again for the many small and medium galaxies in the background. Most interesting is what I thought was an extension of a spiral arm of M63 but which turns out to be a satellite galaxy of the main object; although may still be disputed (http://www.williamsseaandsky.com/?page_id=2025).

Roberto

Luminance crop

(https://cdn.astrobin.com/thumbs/nNbSlTP4vdz-_1824x0_cVgWoVGZ.jpg)

LRGB crop

(https://cdn.astrobin.com/thumbs/QTpEiFVf0bqf_16536x16536_3bgdatiZ.jpg)

LRGB annotated (full resolution)

(https://cdn.astrobin.com/thumbs/yXRKQicIpEpH_16536x16536_2kAqTVsf.jpg)

Full resolution LRGB

(https://cdn.astrobin.com/thumbs/E55CqrZ-FAke_16536x16536_rut3oHFx.jpg)
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress ... Now Complete
Post by: Carole on Mar 31, 2020, 15:17:33
Beautiful image Roberto.

Carole
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress ... Now Complete
Post by: Roberto on Mar 31, 2020, 15:41:49
Thank you Carole!
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress ... Now Complete
Post by: RobertM on Mar 31, 2020, 18:27:24
That's superb Roberto, a great capture.

Robert
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress ... Now Complete
Post by: Roberto on Mar 31, 2020, 18:33:51
Thank you Robert. I hope you are keeping well.

Roberto
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress ... Now Complete
Post by: MarkS on Mar 31, 2020, 20:19:30
That's a really great result!  Well done!

Mark
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress ... Now Complete
Post by: Roberto on Mar 31, 2020, 21:11:13
Many thanks Mark. Trying C/2019 Y4 Atlas now...
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress ... Now Complete
Post by: NoelC on Apr 02, 2020, 01:17:51
Wonderful Roberto
Well done.
Noel
Title: Re: Clear skies - M63 - in progress ... Now Complete
Post by: Roberto on Apr 02, 2020, 06:45:47
Thank you Noel!