three galaxies - M31/M33/NGC 891

[nytecam]

Another brief session last night and first this autumn on three galaxies in the eastern sky eg M31 core [30s], M33 [100s] and edge-on gx NGC 891 [80s].  M33, with its many HII regions, is always difficult due to the relative faintness of a face-on gx under regular LP and thus not visited too often.   Use Classic Meade 30cm f/3.3 SCT+SX Lodestar-Cx2.  Data on images.

Nytecam

[nmoushon]

Didn't know they reclassified M1 as a galaxy... Sorry just had too. 

On the more serious note I think you pulled out quite a bit of detail for the short subs. M33 has very nice spiral arm detail and can be seen very clearly. Nicely done.

[RobertI]

Very nice results.

Do you think it is possible to pick up any of M31's globulars using the Lodestar - is it worth me trying?

[nytecam]

Yes Robert - done maybe a couple of dozen in the past with the Lodestar using

http://dvaa.org/AData/M31GC.html and http://www.robgendlerastropics.com/M31NMmosaicglobs.html etc

Good luck

Nytecam

[aparker]

I've done that same "core plus dust lanes" view of M31 a couple nights recently myself.  It's a neat close up, but always leaves me wanting a way to get the whole thing in frame.  I was doing that this past weekend visually with a 100mm refractor under dark skies, and it was a satisfying view indeed.  I think I need a Hyperstar....

M33 is one of the few GX I have not been able to get a satisfying EAA view of in my light-polluted Boston world.  Low brightness, face on...  The eyepiece view of this one in my 18" Newtonian under dark skies beats anything I have been able to do with the Lodestar.  This is very different than the smaller, brighter GX or PN, where the Lodestar beats visual even with a big scope...

Also a great suggestion re: M31 GCs.  Gotta give that a try.

Thanks for sharing.

[RobertI]

Yes Robert - done maybe a couple of dozen in the past with the Lodestar using

http://dvaa.org/AData/M31GC.html and http://www.robgendlerastropics.com/M31NMmosaicglobs.html etc

Good luck

Nytecam

Fantastic, thanks for the links.

[laudropb]

Nice images. Thanks for posting.

[nytecam]

Thanks everyone for your interest and likes ;-)

Here's another version of M33 highlighting the bright HII region NGC 604 top left eg Nf the core - discovered by William Herschel on September 11, 1784 some 231yrs ago -  a sobbering thought for us 'experts' of today - with the Hubble view for comparison,  

There are many HII regions in M33 - most in the extended field beyond my pic.  Once you've got your pic there's much to look for beyond the casual but whatever 'floats-your boat'  ;-)

Nytecam

[RobertI]

That's a massive HII region - I did a bit of research and apparently if NGC 604 was at the same distance as the Orion Nebula it would be shine brighter than Venus - whatever that means!

[nytecam]

That's a massive HII region - I did a bit of research and apparently if NGC 604 was at the same distance as the Orion Nebula it would be shine brighter than Venus - whatever that means!

Robert - if you rise before dawn and look due east behold a dazzling planet Venus casting shadows on the wall behind you :-)

Nytecam

[nytecam]

Here's another M31 in 90s from the same session which goes deeper but burns-out the core :-/

Nytecam

[Astrojedi]

Very nice shots...