3C 273 - The Search for the Jet, the Sequel

[tomato]

This is 3 hrs of Lum on the Esprit 150/ASI 178 rig, binned 2x2 so imaging at 0.94 arcsec/pixel. It is not an ideal subject, only about 30 degrees above the horizon and right above the neighbour's roof, guiding wasn't exactly brilliant. The images have been stretched to within an inch of their lives to try and establish if anything was visible.

The first image is the whole of the FOV, with 3C 273 in the centre. A pixel wide protrusion is visible on the stretched image in the same orientation as the jet, see stretched crop and library image.

Is it the jet? Well, it is in the right place and the right size, and it is very, very faint, but then there are other jet like artefacts(?) visible in the image so maybe I'm being a little optimistic.

However, if it is the jet then it is a testament to how far AP equipment has come. OK, I’m using a 6” refractor, but the camera costs £322 from FLO.

 

AP is a strange hobby, this is the poorest quality DSO image I have taken this season, yet it's the one I'm most excited about. Thanks for looking.

 

[geeklee]

5 minutes ago, tomato said:

Is it the jet? Well, it is in the right place and the right size, and it is very, very faint, but then there are other jet like artefacts(?) visible in the image so maybe I'm being a little optimistic.

I see what you mean @tomato but it looks consistent with the library image - angle, how straight it is, where it finishes in reference to surrounding stars/faint galaxies (?).  I think some optimism is definitely warranted.  I hope you got it - great capture.

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Nice job, I think you have captured the jet there.

[wimvb]

Great! I think you got it, but another 3 hours or more to confirm it would be nice of course.

[gorann]

I am convinced that you've got it Steve and can understand your excitement!

Cheers, Göran

Edited May 9, 2022 by gorann

[gorann]

PS. could those two bright spots in the yet you caught correspond to those from the Chandra X-ray Observatory I see on Wikipeida?

[tomato]

Thanks, I did intend to revisit this object this season, but I have probably left it too late now. It’s awesome to think amateur equipment can produce an image not dissimilar to the Palomar Sky Survey.

 

[MarsG76]

Yup, I think you got it.... that is so awesome.