Where'sWally

[Trevorw]

Target: Fornax Cluster

Camera: Canon 350d modified

Exposure Capture: DLSR Focus

Scope: SV80ED

Mount: EQ6 Pro

Exposure Setting: Prime focus, ISO800 ICNR off Daylight WB

Exposures: 12 x 330s total 66 minutes taken 18/03/09

Seeing: Average, fair amount of LP

Guiding: Orion Starshoot Autoguider using PHD

Focus: DSLR Focus

Stacking: DSS no darks or flats

Processing: PS7

Note: I was hoping for nearly two hrs data but Fornax fell below my roof line. Also LP was fairly evident in processing.

Info: Situated in Fornax

The second richest cluster of galaxies within 100 million light-years, although it is much smaller than the Virgo Cluster; it lies primarily in the constellation Fornax. There are actually two neighboring clusters, Fornax I and Fornax II (also known as the Eridanus Group), which contain 30 to 40 large galaxies each Galaxy clusters, where hundreds or even thousands of galaxies inhabit dense quarters, provide a busy environment, an excellent place to look for intense galaxy interactions. Even the relatively innocent-looking nearby (60 million light years) Fornax cluster has an example of cataclysmic galaxy evolution in progress. Fornax appears to be a quiet place, even a bit dull, being dominated by old galaxies, ellipticals and S0's mostly. This appearance is deceiving, however; X-ray images reveal a more turbulent picture of a cluster in the late stages of a recent merger of a sizable subgroup with the main cluster. A recent closer look at the relative motions of the galaxies has revealed additional evidence for not one but two subunits of galaxies colliding with the main group.

In retrospect, Fornax contains a prominent visual clue that the cluster is not entirely serene: NGC1427A, the only gas-rich irregular galaxy in the cluster, has an unusual "swoosh'' morphology with prominent blue knots of ongoing star formation. It also has a high velocity relative to the main cluster (about 600 km/s) and is probably part of one of the subgroups making its first passage through the main cluster. NGC1427A is relatively isolated, though, so its unusual appearance and vigorous star formation cannot be blamed on interaction with any particular large companion, but instead must be caused by the cluster as a whole. The motions of the stars which make up NGC1427A are distorted, and part of the galaxy appears to be breaking away to the north. This is highly suggestive that NGC1427A will not long survive as an identifiable galaxy passing through the cluster, but will be disrupted, spilling its stars and gas into the intergalactic regions of the Fornax cluster.

[Whippy]

Very nice Trevor, nice to see something not often imaged .

Tony..

[Trevorw]

Thanks Whippy although the scale of the image doesn't do it justice as there are at least 6 galaxies easily decernable within the main image. Not bad considering it's only an 80mm scope and an hours data. Can't wait to get more aperture for this really deep sky stuff.

Cheers

[Imahumanbeing]

Awesome picture Trevor and great info too!

[Trevorw]

Thanks for the feedback attached are a colour negative with red dots to show easily visible galaxies and a straight color version the right way up as taken

Cheers