Leo Triplet

[Andy Nowlen]

Hi All,

Here is my first go at the Leo Triplet - the M66 group as it is sometimes known. The spiral galaxies M65,M66, and NGC3628 are 'nearby' galaxies at an estimated 35 million light-years distant in the cancellation Leo. Imaging was done March 6 and March 9 2022. Interestingly, M66, the largest and brightest of the group, is roughly 95 light years across. [via messier-objects.com]

Takahashi FSQ106n @ 529mm
Ioptron CEM40
Asi533mc pro
AsiAir pro
L-pro light pollution filter
180 seconds * 145 subframes
7.25 hours integration
Pixinsight
Photoshop

 

[Ben Egbert]

Amazing, and hard to wrap my head around 95 light years for a single object.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Nice framing and capture of this great galaxy grouping. Fun to see the 3 together, emphasizing the many different shapes and orientations of galaxies out in space.

ML

 

[JimFox]

Wow Andy! Love this! The Leo Triplet is something I have been thinking about capturing now that I have a GoTo mount with the Gem28. I need to see if it's something I can see come the next new moon cycle.

 

[Andy Nowlen]

Wow Andy! Love this! The Leo Triplet is something I have been thinking about capturing now that I have a GoTo mount with the Gem28. I need to see if it's something I can see come the next new moon cycle.

Hi,
How are you liking the Gem28? I recently got the CEM26. Mine takes some effort to balance, but after I accomplish that it is great. To date, I am using it for my wide angle projects. I have the Sharpstar 76mm with reducer. It becomes 339 mm focal length.

I like how the Triplet turned out. Enough detail but not crunched.

Enjoy!

 

[Dan Moorehead]

Stunning!

 

[JimFox]

Hi,
How are you liking the Gem28? I recently got the CEM26. Mine takes some effort to balance, but after I accomplish that it is great. To date, I am using it for my wide angle projects. I have the Sharpstar 76mm with reducer. It becomes 339 mm focal length.

I like how the Triplet turned out. Enough detail but not crunched.

Enjoy!

Hey Andy, the Gem28 is going good so far. I added guiding at the same time, so it’s been a learning process. I have been able to capture decent images through the learning so that is great. One thing I have noticed is it seems like the Gem28 is more sensitive then the SkyGuide Pro. It tracks really nicely, but it seems like the slightest breeze or if I look at it wrong, it starts bouncing and there is star movement.

Using my Tamron 150-600mm which I have been running it at 600mm though, so that makes for a long image train. I have been getting around 2 min to maybe 3 min subs. I did some experiments, and at 150mm I could run 5 min subs (with guiding). 300mm was in the 3 to 4 min range. I know guys are able to get much longer subs, but for just switching over I am happy with that. Plus, until I get a dedicated Astro camera (going to order the ASI260 mc Pro next week), I am limited with thermal noise anyway with my dslr.

Balancing has been easy on it, so that part is good. Overall a good experience I think.