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NGC 253 - Sculptor Galaxy

 

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGE VIEW (2400x1801) 

Scope: Celestron 9.25 Edge 235 mm at f/7, Location: Blair Valley, Anza Borrego Desert, CA  1 November 2013  Camera: ST8300M

Exposure: 17 x 8 min  (2x2 bin) exposure with UV/IR block,  8 x 3.5 min (2x2 bin) RGB exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  CCDSoft (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Sigma Combine), LRGB channel registration, central gradient removal, and color equalization - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, LRGB combine and finishing  - Photoshop.  Color calibration using eXcalibrator. This image is a straightforward LRGB combine with Luminance layering -   Final Image size is approximately 2400x1801.

North is down in this image.  NGC 253 is also popularly known as the Sculptor Galaxy and it is part of the relatively near Sculptor Galaxy Group. NGC 253 is considered a starburst galaxy, where stars form and explode at an unusually high rate.  The distance of NGC 253 to Earth is approximately 10  million light years.   This image replaces an earlier image that can be seen in the Archives here .   The Horizontal FOV is 38'.

Image center is located approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: RA: 00h 47m 33s Dec: -25°17'15"

 

All images and content remain the property of Jim Thommes - copyright 2003 - 2013

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