Clear skies - M63 - in progress ... Now Complete

[Roberto]

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).  I may start taking colour instead.

Roberto

[Carole]

Great result Roberto, it's faint but I can already see the tidal arms or your image.

Carole 

[RobertM]

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

[MarkS]

Wow, that is looking really excellent already.

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

Mark

[Roberto]

Added ten more hours for a total of just above 24hrs.

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



LRGB crop



LRGB annotated (full resolution)



Full resolution LRGB

[Carole]

Beautiful image Roberto.

Carole

[Roberto]

Thank you Carole!

[RobertM]

That's superb Roberto, a great capture.

Robert

[Roberto]

Thank you Robert. I hope you are keeping well.

Roberto

[MarkS]

That's a really great result!  Well done!

Mark

[Roberto]

Many thanks Mark. Trying C/2019 Y4 Atlas now...

[NoelC]

Wonderful Roberto
Well done.
Noel

[Roberto]

Thank you Noel!