April 2016

A Starburst M13 “Take that Swarovski”

The Great Cluster in the constellation Hercules – also known as Messier 13, or M13 – is considered to be the finest globular cluster in the northern half of the heavens. It’s found in a star pattern called the Keystone – a lopsided square within the constellation Hercules – between the two brightest stars of northern spring and summer, Vega and Arcturus.

Frames: 160×450″ Integration: 20.0 hours Imaging telescope or lens: Ian King Ikharos 8″ RC Imaging camera: Sony ICX814 Mount: Sky-Watcher NEQ6 Pro Guiding telescope or lens: Ian King Ikharos 8″ RC Guiding camera: sx loadstar Software: Photoshop CS5, PixInsight 1.8, PHD, Main Sequence Software Filters: Baader B 2″, Baader G 2″, Baader Luminance 2″, Baader B 2” Accessory: Starlight Xpress USB filter wheel

Fun with the California nebula in HaRGBL&OIII

Fun with the California nebula in HaRGBL&OIII

Imaging telescopes or lenses: Vixen VSD
Imaging cameras: Starlight Express SXVR-H18
Mounts: MX
Guiding telescopes or lenses: Vixen VSD
Guiding cameras: sx loadstar
Software: PixInsight 1.8, Sequence Generator Pro, Photoshop CS5, PHD, Main Sequence Software
Filters: Baader H-alpha 3.5 Nm, Baader O III 8.5nm
Accessories: Starlight Xpress USB filter wheel
Frames:
Baader Ha 3.5nm: 10×1800″
Baader O III 8.5nm: 20×1800″
Integration: 15 hours
Plus RGBL 400x 10 in each
Locations: Home observatory, Valencia, Spain

The Whale Galaxy NGC 4627 and 4631.

The Whale Galaxy

The Whale Galaxy NGC 4627 and 4631.

Imaging camera: Starlight Express SXVR-H18

Mount: Software Bisque Paramount MX

Guiding telescope or lens: Ian King Ikharos 8″ RC

NGC 4627 and 4631. Imaging telescope : Ikharos 8″ RC SXH18 CCD L600x40 bin2 + RGB & Ha. Integration around 16 hours shot under moonless condition in semi urban skies. Home obbs Valencia.
NGC 4631 (also known as the Whale Galaxy or Caldwell 32) is an edge-on spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. This galaxy’s slightly distorted wedge shape gives it the appearance of a herring or a whale, hence its nickname. Because this nearby galaxy is seen edge-on from Earth, professional astronomers observe this galaxy to better understand the gas and stars located outside the plane of the galaxy.