Threading the Needle

[Colorado CJ]

We finally had a clear night last night, so I shot the Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565).

This is an excellent example of an edge on spiral galaxy. It is almost exactly edge on with us, showing the core of the galaxy being sliced in half.

I was only able to shoot a total of 3 hours on this subject. I plan on going back at a later date to add more data so I can get a more detailed, clearer image.

Last night was a test of sorts as I ran everything (mount, guiding, camera, plate solving) with just a tiny Raspberry Pi and a battery system I built. I wanted to get a setup that is able to be run fully off of a small deep cycle battery. The 35 Amp Hour battery that I am using should be able to run the full imaging setup for two nights before needing to be charged.

This will make for a great setup to take to the mountains and to some truly dark sites. I plan on taking this the Chaco Canyon shortly.

Anyway, on to the image.

This was shot using the following equipment:

Skywatcher MN190 Mak Newt (1000mm F5.2)
ZWO ASI 183MM Pro Imaging Camera
Astrodon LRGB Filters
EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
ZWO ASI120MC-S Guide Camera
ZWO ASIAIR (Raspberry Pi imaging computer)

Luminance: 60 minutes
Red: 37.5 minutes
Green: 42 minutes
Blue: 42 minutes

 

[AlanLichty]

Staring into this abyss is simply mesmerizing. You are tantalizing us with these teasers about how much better a shot you will get with darker skies.

 

[JimFox]

Truly amazing Andrew! Love the detail in this now, it's hard to imagine that it could get even better!

 

[Ben Egbert]

Truly amazing, and what a lot of patience it must require. My hats off to you man.

 

[Nilo Photography]

We finally had a clear night last night, so I shot the Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565).

This is an excellent example of an edge on spiral galaxy. It is almost exactly edge on with us, showing the core of the galaxy being sliced in half.

I was only able to shoot a total of 3 hours on this subject. I plan on going back at a later date to add more data so I can get a more detailed, clearer image.

Last night was a test of sorts as I ran everything (mount, guiding, camera, plate solving) with just a tiny Raspberry Pi and a battery system I built. I wanted to get a setup that is able to be run fully off of a small deep cycle battery. The 35 Amp Hour battery that I am using should be able to run the full imaging setup for two nights before needing to be charged.

This will make for a great setup to take to the mountains and to some truly dark sites. I plan on taking this the Chaco Canyon shortly.

Anyway, on to the image.

This was shot using the following equipment:

Skywatcher MN190 Mak Newt (1000mm F5.2)
ZWO ASI 183MM Pro Imaging Camera
Astrodon LRGB Filters
EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
ZWO ASI120MC-S Guide Camera
ZWO ASIAIR (Raspberry Pi imaging computer)

Luminance: 60 minutes
Red: 37.5 minutes
Green: 42 minutes
Blue: 42 minutes

Amazing shot...I want to do this!

 

[Colorado CJ]

Thanks everyone! Though I have some oblong stars (just in Lum since I was learning the guide settings with the ASIAIR at the time), I am happy with how this turned out.


This is the second image I've taken with my new 190MN telescope and I am EXTREMELY happy with it. I can't wait to get an electric auto focuser so I can tighten up the image even more.

 

[Mike Lewis]

Wonderful result! If you get to even darker skies you will be impressed with the better contrast and therefore detail you will be bale to pull out. Don't forget to pay attention to the seeing too, which can have an effect on your final level of detail as well.

Great stuff!

ML

 

[Johnny Mendoza]

This is great!