Markarian's Chain

[JohnH]

A part of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies in the region of 55 million light years distant. My favourite one is NGC 4440 down in the bottom right corner. If you zoom in it is a perfect face on barred spiral galaxy. It is also possible to make out dust clouds around the rim of NGC 4402 (edge on spiral galaxy to the left and slightly above M86 - upper right)

With the recent dry weather I have been experimenting with the ASIAir "Plan" mode. Set the details of what you want to image, through which filter and how long for, open the roof and remove the lens covers. The system sets the camera temperature, starts guiding, points at the target, sets the filter and focuses. I had it set to stop imaging at 0415 and return to home position to make sure it is not pointing at the sun before I close the roof.

That is how I have managed 9 hours 44 minutes of imaging over two nights.

Telescope: Sharpstar 15028 HNT (150 mm f2.
Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro (at -10C)
Filters: Dual Band, Ha, R, G and B

Processing:
Pixinsight (Calibrate, stack, sharpen, de-noise, add Ha, combine Luminance and Chrominance, separate galaxies and stars then stretch images).

Affinity Photo 2 (Further stretching, vibrance and saturation, additional sharpening, final curves adjustment and then re-combine galaxies and stars).

John

[Carole]

I don;t normally go for small galaxies, but this is a very nice chain of them.  You have done well from Bromley John. 

[JohnH]

I don;t normally go for small galaxies, but this is a very nice chain of them.  You have done well from Bromley John. 

TBH tiny galaxies are not really my cup of tea either but I was looking for something that would work for my 'scope!

[garrick]

Nice detail on some of the smaller spirals. Great result. G