A trio of rich galaxy clusters

[Martin Meredith]

First is the rich Hydra I galaxy cluster, also known as Abell 1060, which surrounds a couple of bright stars  (I moved the brighter of the two, at mag 4.9, just out of shot, while the other is mag 6.7). There are at least 50 galaxies in the cluster, which fills more than my sensor. This was around 18 degrees above the horizon.

Various distance estimates are available for the individual members, ranging from 126-220 MLY. The main galaxies go from 12.6 mag NGC 3309 to mag 15.4 NGC 3307. The group NGC 3309, NGC 3311 and NGC 3312 are classified as Arp-Madore 1034-271. NGC 3311 is an M82-type disturbed spiral while NGC 3312 is a large disturbed spiral with peculiar dust lane (visible in the shot). Another interesting object is NGC 3314A/B, also known as Arp-Madore 1034-272, which is classified as "spindle galaxy with projection". The fainter 'A' component lies on top of the B galaxy.

Also marked is the type EA (Algol-type) eclipsing variable star LL Hya which varies from 11.8 to 13.6 in 1.18 days.

Next up is Abell 3526, part of a large cluster in Centaurus at a declination of -41.5 degrees. This is another rich cluster with 33 members at around 130-160 MLY. The cluster is dominated by two large ellipticals,  the mag 11.7 NGC 4696 and mag 12.1 NGC 4709. There are many spirals in various degrees of 'edge-on-ness' too, all around mag 14-15. This cluster was just over 5 degrees above the horizon at the time, and hence the limiting mag for this shot is lower, at around 16.0 (an edge-on PGC 43323 marked). There are many interesting objects in the general area (more than 10 Arp-Madores and several V-V).

Finally, at a more forgiving altitude of around 30 degreees in the deep south of Virgo is the group dominated by the mag 11.6 elliptical NGC 5044 at 126 MLY. I think the beauty of this field comes from the 3 mag 13-14 edge-on spirals, NGC 5037, 5047 and 5049 and the face-on spiral NGC 5035. NGC 5037 is well-positioned between two field stars and looks to me like a galactic version of Saturn due to the clearly visible dust lane. A faint mag 16.9 elliptical just below is also marked (PGC 82848). At nearly 300 MLY, NGC 5047 is around 2.5x as distant as the other main galaxies in the shot.

This is an area that would repay further study. Just out of shot to the left is the interacting pair of spirals NGC 5054 and PGC 46256 (VV1606) and a large ultra-thin edge-on mag 13.6 spiral PGC 46261.

Cheers

Martin

[nytecam]

Amazing stuff there Martin and some so far south ( for me!).

Those dust bunnies are a beast and the reason I keep the camera permanent on the scope once its reasonably clean - no mean feat in itself. Flats are the answer but our extreme f/ratios and image stretching don't make it easy :-)

Nytecam

[Paul81]

The image of NGC 3309 kept me captivated for ages - so much going on in that one shot! Great stuff!

[Martin Meredith]

Thanks Nytecam and Paul. I might experiment with flats and doing a bit of post-processing. I don't really mind them during the observing session (they're often not so apparent) but its embarrassing to post in the light of day… Unfortunately my kit gets moved around a lot.

Paul, I know what you mean about that shot. i think there's something about having a bright star with spikes in the foreground that adds depth to the scene.

On the flats front, do you have any plans for LL in the future to permit either the capture or more straightforwardly the loading of an existing flat to divide through by? Of course, I'm aware you're trying to keep things simple on the interface and I really appreciate that.

cheers

Martin

[Paul81]

Hi Martin,

I certainly won't rule out the ability to add flats in the future, it would be another master mode button at the bottom. Perhaps something to add after the next part which is the multi-spectral stuff.

V0.12 is pretty much there now, just having a play and test and will be good to post! Hopefully Sunday morning....!

Paul