Floating in the Sky

I found a balloon today, just before sunset. It made a nice target for my 300D and 100mm F6 refractor telescope. They launch these several hundred miles to the east of my house. It was way up there, floating on the edge of space.

M104 Sombrero Galaxy

Well, the Sombrero looks more like a ring in this image. I tried to emphasize the ring of dust around this otherwise elliptical galaxy. It is theorized that this is an elliptical Galaxy that collided with a spiral many billions of years ago. The dusty ring is the final remains of the spiral galaxy.

I did not get a lot of detail, but the ring is clearly visible.

Spiral Galaxy M100

This galaxy is a fairly dim one, but has a very bright, almost star-like core when seen visually. I have never taken a good image of it. This Luminance image with my ST7 is about the best so far, though it is not that great.

CCD: SBIG ST7
No Filters
Scope: Celestron C6 sct @F6.3
8 fifteen minute images stacked

Added color to M51

I added C/M/Y color to the M51 I did earlier. Each color channel binned 3x3 and ten minutes duration.

M51 Whirpool Galaxy

I shot this Luminance image a few nights ago. It is the Whirlpool Galaxy. It is 8 thirteen minute images median stacked. All shot at F6.3 with my C6 sct using my ST7 ccd.

M63 - now in Color

Here is the final color image of M63, the Sunflower Galaxy.

C: 3 images @ 13 minutes Binned 2x2
M: 3 images @ 13 minutes Binned 2x2
Y: 3 images @ 13 minutes Binned 2x2
L: 8 images @ 13 minutes

M63 Sunflower Galaxy

Here's another image I need to shoot color for. It is M63, the Sunflower Galaxy. There is a strange line in this image that appears to run through the nucleus from edge to edge. I am not sure if it is a processing artifact or a real feature of the galaxy. I will have to research it.

CCD: SBIG ST7
Scope: Celestron C6S SCT
Mount LXD 75
Reducer: .63
Luminance: 8 thirteen minute images