NGC 7640

[alan4908]

NGC 7640 is an 11^th magnitude barred spiral galaxy located in Andromeda about 28 million light years distant and 90 000 light years in diameter.  Due to the orientation with respect to the Earth, it’s almost edge on and so not much of the spiral arms are visible, however, if you look closely you can see a spiral structure.  It’s a somewhat neglected target, which is probably due the much brighter neighbouring galaxy NGC 7331.

To enhance the colour structures in the central bar, I acquired Ha data which I blended into the red channel via continuum subtraction.  To avoid the image being dominated by the starfield, I split the galaxy and starfield processing and blended a low field star stretch into a high stretch of the galaxy and the faint background galaxies.

On the annotated image below: PixInsight identified two interesting features within the area of the galaxy: the “blue blob” is a distant background galaxy – PGC3088080 and the  “mini-comet” is a Quaser- MQ J232210.17+404922.11.

This LRGB image represents approximately 30 hours integration time and was taken with my Esprit 150.

 

Alan

 

LIGHTS: L:46, R:22, G:23, B: 23 x600s; Ha:21 x 1800s all at -20C.

[geeklee]

44 minutes ago, alan4908 said:

NGC 7640

Super result Alan.  After a little time I could see the spiral structure you mention.  Great detail and colour, with the Ha additions well worth it.

30 hours in the UK too.  Always worth extra appreciation   🫡

Edited August 20 by geeklee

[tomato]

Great galaxy image, as always. The barred spiral structure is clearly visible even with the almost edge on orientation.

Definitely one I would like to have a try at.👍🏼

[gorann]

Fabulous image Alan, and yes, the spiral structure is there! What camera(s) did you use?

[Roy Foreman]

Very nice image. Good colour and detail. One to add to my to do list !

[Clarkey]

Great result. I imaged this galaxy last year using my RC8 and the result was far from impressive. (Admittedly I only managed one night of about 5 hours). Your image is way better - the perseverance paid off.

[alan4908]

20 hours ago, geeklee said:

Super result Alan.  After a little time I could see the spiral structure you mention.  Great detail and colour, with the Ha additions well worth it.

30 hours in the UK too.  Always worth extra appreciation   🫡

Thanks - yes, the Ha really did help.

20 hours ago, tomato said:

Great galaxy image, as always. The barred spiral structure is clearly visible even with the almost edge on orientation.

Definitely one I would like to have a try at.👍🏼

Yes, I would encourage you to have a go - there are not too many examples out there !

20 hours ago, gorann said:

Fabulous image Alan, and yes, the spiral structure is there! What camera(s) did you use?

Thanks Gorann - the camera used was my SX Trius 814 - getting on a bit now but still a great camera. 

17 hours ago, Roy Foreman said:

Very nice image. Good colour and detail. One to add to my to do list !

Thanks and yes, do have a go at the target !

19 minutes ago, Clarkey said:

Great result. I imaged this galaxy last year using my RC8 and the result was far from impressive. (Admittedly I only managed one night of about 5 hours). Your image is way better - the perseverance paid off.

Thanks - I don't normally collect as much data as this but I thought the Ha was worth it 

Alan