Einstein’s Cross with EAA?

[PatG]

Just wondering if anyone has attempted to observe Einsteins Cross with EAA, or any other examples of gravitational lensing? 

[Martin Meredith]

I had a look at Andromeda's Parachute recently (i managed to see the upper bulge and just about get the lower member) and I believe Nytecam tried Einstein's Cross some year ago. A decent focal length and good seeing is essential.

Martin

[Mike JW]

Hi,

Visually, parachute seen in my 20" (former), and in a 24" Dob Einstein Cross is doable. I suspect therefore that using EAA technique both should be able to be observed.

I always forget to try for these.

Mike

[roelb]

See here: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/562325-partial-observation-of-einsteins-cross-gravitationally-lensed-quasar/#entry7632228

[PatG]

Thanks for the feedback and CN links, clearly there has been some hot discussion about this subject over the years!  

One of these nights I will dust of the C11 and give it / them a go!

[Xio1996]

The Cloudy Nights February EAA challenge had the Twin Quasar in Ursa Major as one of the objects. It is a gravitationally lensed quasar.  The distance is an amazing 8.7 billion light-years!

The Quasar is highlighted in yellow in the image I took below.

Twin Quasar - 11th February 2022 03:06 UTC

Cropped SharpCap with Deep Sky Annotations.
CPC-800, Altair Astro 294C, SharpCap, CPWI.
10 second x 60 frames, Gain 901, Darks, Flats, Background Subtraction (Blended Offset)

[PatG]

Great feedback Xio, I will give that one a try!

It never ceases to amaze how such distant objects can be seen with EAA. So the light from that quasar has been travelling for over 60% age of the universe or about twice the age of the Earth!

I'm sure this has been asked before but I wonder what the most distant object is that has been observed with EAA?

Pat

 

[Xio1996]

Hi Pat,

There is a thread on Cloudy Nights EAA forum with some images of distant objects and  a link to a website 'Ultra Deep Sky'. 

Ultra Deep Sky - Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) - Cloudy Nights

It sounds like a fun project to see how deep you can go using EAA.

[Mike JW]

At last I have had a go at trying to see if I could get a image of Einstein's Cross. Earlier in the thread I suggested it could be doable; now I am less certain.

In the early hours, milky way spreading across the sky, mag 5.5 stars easily visible, skies fairly steady - it seemed worthwhile to get up and point the 15" Dob at it.

First shot below is the galaxy PGC 69457 which is doing the lensing of the distant galaxy - the core is too washed out to show any potential bright spots of the cross.

No matter how I fiddle with the settings in Jocular this is the best I can do.

Whilst looking through the individual subs I spotted the one below: with a bit of imagination there is a hint of the cross???!!!! - we see what we wish to see!!!

Below is the same sub processed in photoshop - might there be a hint of the cross? Certainly not going to claim there is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion: the only chance I can think of to pick up Einstein's Cross with my set up would seem to be a very transparent night (mag 5.7 stars easily visible) and rock steady skies. Highly unlikely combination from where I observe.

Interesting to have tried.

Mike

[Martin Meredith]

V interesting. Its a shame there are not many (any?) stars nearby to get a fix on and compare with online images to see if the possible cross in the last image is the right size and orientation. No chance for me with my 800mm FL scope I reckon...

[Mike JW]

Hi Martin,

The online images I have found are zoomed in shots and show stars I have not picked up. Below is my landscape view - same orientation as the previous posted zoomed in views.

 

Edited August 8, 2022 by Mike JW