Mexican Hat Galaxy

[Gerr]

AKA - The Sombrero Galaxy (M104).

The Sombrero lies at the southern edge of the rich Virgo cluster of galaxies and is one of the most massive objects in that group, equivalent to 800 billion suns. The galaxy is 50,000 light-years across and is located 28 million light-years from Earth.

First attempt at this one and with it being low in the southern sky a bit of a challenge!!

However, it rose briefly above my neighbours wall for a couple of hours and my scope was quickly put into action.

Moon was waning crescent but it was a bit gusty which effected my guiding (0.6 - 0.7 rms error) resulting in a few bad frames (>30%).

I did achieve 44 minutes of useable subs

Lights: 88x30secs ISO800.  Canon 650D (modded). Optolong L-Pro Filter. SW200P on HEQ5 mount.

DSS and Photoshopped.

Hope you like.

Gerr.