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M99 in Coma Berenices

 

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW (2800x2100)

Scope: Explore Scientific MN152 Maksutov Newtonian at f/4.8, Location: Blair Valley, Anza Borrego Desert, CA   20 March 2015  Camera: Atik 383L

Exposure: Exposure: 16 x 9 min  (1x1 bin) exposure with UV/IR block,  8 x 4.5 min (2x2 bin) RGB exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  Sequence Generator Pro (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Kappa Sigma Combine) Deep Sky Stacker, LRGB channel registration, equalization, and central gradient removal - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, RGB combine Images Plus. Luminance layering and finishing  - Photoshop. This image is a  LRGB combine with Luminance layering.  Color saturation in LAB color;    Final Image size is approximately 2800x2100.

North is up in this image. M99 is the galaxy toward the right of the image, a spiral galaxy in the constellation of  Coma Beremices. It is also a member of the large Virgo Cluster of Galaxies. It is somewhat asymmetric and not much to account for the asymmetry other than speculation on gravitational encounters with other cluster member galaxies.   Toward the are galaxies NGC 4302 and NGC 4298. There are several other visually smaller galaxies in the field better seen in the full size image or in the annotated image. This image replaces an earlier image that can be seen in the archives here.   M99's distance from Earth is popularly given as 60 million light years, but several Tully -Fisher estimates put it between about 50-55 million light years. NGC 4302 and NGC 4298 are about the same distance by Tully-Fisher.  Horizontal FOV is 88'

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 12h 19m 54s Dec: +14°29'27"

 

All images and content remain the property of Jim Thommes - copyright 2003 - 2015 copyright 2003 - 2012

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