M102 The Spindle Galaxy

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menardre
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M102 The Spindle Galaxy

Unread post by menardre »

Last night I imaged M102 The Spindle Galaxy. It is located in Draco. I was able to capture 135 images of 2 minutes using 11 inch SCT and ZWO ASI2600. I set camera to 2 minute exposures with 0 deg C and gain of 100. I also took 50 flats (0.15 sec). I am having problems with my Falcon rotator since installing newer version of SGP so I did not use rotation during platesolving. SGP seems to send the rotator to various angles. I will have to troubleshoot the rotator for future imaging sessions.

It was a nice night. Tracking was generally good all night. I did de-select several images with higher eccentricity than normal.

M102 is an edge on lenticular galaxy. It is about 50 million light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 10.7. It is one of the brightest galaxies in the NGC 5866 group of galaxies.

I used Pixinsight for all image processing. I also tried a new noise reduction process 'noisexterminator'. It does a great job of eliminating noise but does add some artifacts so I am still working on it.

One process that works well with this type of object is HDR. This process emphasizes the difference between dark and light areas. It also allows you to try out different settings before you commit to the one best suited.

Roger
M102 Master_DBEdiv_EzDN_Autocolor_ArcSinH_HDR_MLT5321.jpg
M102 Master_DBEdiv_EzDN_Autocolor_ArcSinH_HDR_MLT5321.jpg (395.81 KiB) Viewed 416 times
M102 with 25% crop.
M102 Master_DBEdiv_EzDN_Autocolor_ArcSinH_HDR_MLT5321.jpg
M102 Master_DBEdiv_EzDN_Autocolor_ArcSinH_HDR_MLT5321.jpg (395.81 KiB) Viewed 416 times
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M102 Master_DBEdiv_EzDN_Autocolor_ArcSinH_HDR_MLT5321_DC.jpg
M102 Master_DBEdiv_EzDN_Autocolor_ArcSinH_HDR_MLT5321_DC.jpg (90.17 KiB) Viewed 416 times
Roger M.
Celestron CPC1100 EDGE, Stellarvue 130T refractor dual mounted on iOptron CEM120 on permanent pier mounted in Observatory. Imaging camera ZWO ASI2600 OSC, guide camera Lodestar or ZWO ASI290MM.
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menardre
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Re: M102 The Spindle Galaxy

Unread post by menardre »

Not sure why there are 3 images. The first two are the same.

Roger
Roger M.
Celestron CPC1100 EDGE, Stellarvue 130T refractor dual mounted on iOptron CEM120 on permanent pier mounted in Observatory. Imaging camera ZWO ASI2600 OSC, guide camera Lodestar or ZWO ASI290MM.
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Pete
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Joined: Fri Jun 13, 2003 9:03 pm

Re: M102 The Spindle Galaxy

Unread post by Pete »

With its apparent size of only 4.7' X 1.9' I wouldn't even try for The Spindle. Very nice Rog.
Pete P.
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