M94 - The Croc's Eye Galaxy

[ShineOn]

This is M94, the Croc’s Eye or Cat’s Eye Galaxy in the constellation of Canes Venatici, around 15 million light years away. It was an interesting one to process with it's bright central core but much fainter outer halo. Layer mask techniques were used to selectively process and expose this halo whilst retaining detail in the galaxy core and dust lanes. Quite a few faint fuzzies in the background too.

Image details: Luminance – 37 x 5 mins with Skywatcher MN190 / Atik 460ex 
RGB – 7 x 5 mins per channel with Skywatcher MN190 / Atik 460ex 
Total image time: 4h 50mins 
Guided with ZWO ASI 224 MC / phd2 
Data captured with Sequence Generator Pro 
Stacked with DSS 
Aligned with Registar 
Processed with PS CS5

Edited April 21, 2020 by ShineOn

[Skipper Billy]

That's a cracker - well done !

[MarkAR]

Superb image.

[tooth_dr]

The central portion is particularly detailed!  Great image.

[Hallingskies]

That is excellent!  My old MakNewt was a pig to collimate, you clearly have no problems on that front. The core detail is razor sharp.

[Erling G-P]

Stunning image with the fine detail in the core!

[ShineOn]

17 hours ago, Hallingskies said:

That is excellent!  My old MakNewt was a pig to collimate, you clearly have no problems on that front. The core detail is razor sharp.

Thanks everyone. I have to set up / tear down after each dry/clear spell and always need to collimate at the outset.  But using a hotech laser collimator is a pretty quick and straightforward process.

[Mark at Beaufort]

That is an excellent astro image. very well done.

I have decided to include this galaxy in my list for tonight - I am observing solely on Canes Venatici.

[peter shah]

stunning core detail and super colour

[Mick H]

Appsolultly stunning, well done ShineOn. 

[alan potts]

That is very nice indeed, one I don't think I have seen, if I have it wasn't as good as this. I have a M/N 190mm, must try it out one day.

Alan

[silentrunning]

Great image, incredible core detail. I found this object really tricky to process, burning out the core didn't help!

[Xiga]

Very well done indeed, on a difficult target. The core is a thing of beauty.