M63, Sunflower Galaxy

[mftoet]

Last weekend I stayed at the "Wateren Starparty". Wateren is a small town in the Netherlands (Drenthe) and one of the darkest places of the country. This small starparty (~ 30 participant) is organised by a local astronomy club and is held twice a year.

The skies were clear on the night from Friday to Saturday. I spend some time (6.5 hours in total) on M63 with the INTES MK-69 150/900 mm Maksutov-Cassegrain, using a SBIG ST-8300M.

Full details can be found on my website.

[Quatermass]

That is a really lovely image, I love the detail and colours you have captured great job.

[peter shah]

another spectacular image

[Gina]

Absolutely!! Goes to show what can be achieved with these top-notch cameras - lovely image

[mftoet]

Thank you all!

Peter, I just noticed your recent M63. Excellent shot, lots of details!

[Looking Up]

Very good image, fantastic detail, the dust lanes at the top are great!

[ollypenrice]

A lovely image in your usual style, Maurice. No exaggeration, invisible processing yet quietly pin-sharp. Soft-and-sharp is so hard to do but that's the perfect combination and you hit it again.

Olly

[Viv]

6.5 hours - well spent.

It is a stunning image !!

[mftoet]

Spencer, Olly and Scarlet, thank you. "Invisible processing", that's a nice compliment!

[sanmatt]

How lovely! Its really super, I saw 2 other galaxys there too, which ones are they?

[Baffa]

Wow, amazing detail! Thumbs up from me