NGC 3169 & 3166

[tomato]

I imaged these interacting galaxies back in 2021 and the rather muddy result convinced me that at a peak elevation of 40 degrees, they were never going to be a decent subject from my location. However, inspired by the sublime APOD of 02/03/23, I decided to give them another go. Combining the old and new sets of data make 10 hrs of integration, all taken with the Esprit150/ASI178 LRGB rig, imaging at 0.94 arcsec per pixel. It's better than my first go but you can see why these objects are best done from a dark, clear sky site with giant apertures. The APOD describes NGC 3169 as a ball of Cosmic yarn unravelling, mine is more like a very fluffy ball of wool.🤭

Please check out the APOD if you want to see what they should look like...

 

 

[DaveS]

Well, that's still a damn sight better than the image in Stellarium. Do I put this on my target list? probably, though I'm concentrating on HCGs at the mo.

BYW, also featured in this months AN monthly guide.

[tomato]

Thanks for your kind words. I know I'm never going to achieve the APOD resolution but I'm sure it could be better than my result so far. I just need a run of transparent, steady, cloudless, moonless nights, surely not too much to ask from rural Shropshire? 😅

[Clarkey]

1 hour ago, tomato said:

I just need a run of transparent, steady, cloudless, moonless nights

The things we dream of........ One or two would be nice though.

Great image despite the low elevation.

[tomato]

Just checked my logs, I'm in for 21 sessions YTD vs 23 last year, but this year seems much worse than that. I have had more aborted runs due to glitches this year, which might explain my gloomy take on things.

April last year was great so here's hoping.

[wimvb]

Great image. Those are 10 hours well spent.

If you compare to the APOD image, you should also consider this

19 hrs from Shropshire compared to "a range of telescopes in Central Thailand and at Observatorio El Sauce in Chile."