M64 LRGB - The Black Eye Galaxy

[MartinB]

A few notes on M64 - apparently the outer areas of the galaxy are rotating in the opposite direction to the inner zone. this is producing an area of very active star formation at the interface between the 2 rotating zones. The unusual dusty core feature is some of the left overs from a smaller galaxy which has been absorbed. Distance estimates range from 15 to 40 million light year.

Having been spoilt by imaging under the dark skies at Les Granges it was back to light polluted reality in Chesterfield for this image. The worst problem was 2 aeroplane contrails hovering around the region for over 2 hours. Also there must have been a fair bit of moisture in the air since the light pollution from Chesterfield was being thrown up much more than usual. On the plus side the seeing was pretty good.

Scope: 10" LX200ACF with 0.67 AP reducer (giving approx F8 and 1900mm fl at the spacing used)

Camera: QSI 532 wsg with lodestar guidecam

Astronomic LRGB filters with IDAS LP filter in front

Lum: 10x600 secs R+G each 10x140 secs binned x2 B 10x210 secs binned x2

Captured and combined with Maxim, Lum deconvolved with CCD stack and finished in PS

[MartinB]

Here is a cropped version

[albedo0.39]

That.... is BEAUTIFUL ! - very very nice

[adamsp123]

That is real nice Martin, fantastic job.

Pete

[barkis]

You are turning out some classy stuff Martin.

What a great job you have done here.

France was a real treat for you, but you aint doing too badly at home. I hope Lucksall delivers some good skies, so a feast of Images can be rolled out.

Ron.

[prokyon]

Hi Martin,

wow! Great pic. Details and colors are fantastic!

cheers

Werner

[gerard33]

very nice

deep colors

[ncjunk]

nice detail in the dust lanes and very smooth!

[MartinB]

Thanks guys

nice detail in the dust lanes and very smooth!

If it wasn't for the black eye I don't think many imagers would go near M64. The galactic collision seems to have moved it half way to being elliptical and the main feature of M64 away from the core seems to be the lack of features!

[barkis]

Thanks guys

If it wasn't for the black eye I don't think many imagers would go near M64. The galactic collision seems to have moved it half way to being elliptical and the main feature of M64 away from the core seems to be the lack of features!

The thing is, it is the lack of feature that is surprising. It looks so serene, particularly after a galactic collision. You would expect to see Chaos.

Ron.

[Sam]

Brilliant image Martin, I think the colour is awesome and loads of detail too!

[Whippy]

Another one from the top drawer Martin, there's not many images of M64 of this quality .

Tony..

[Catanonia]

Wow, very nice, lovely smoothness and colour.

Nice to see the obs working for you.

[Starflyer]

Cracking image Martin.