NGC 5054 and NGC 5044

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW (4000x3000)

Scope: Explore Scientific MN152 at f/4.8, Location: DAA Observatory, Shelter Valley, CA, 5 and 13 May 2021  Camera: ASI1600M (Astronomik Gen 2  LRGB Filters)

Exposure: Exposure: L - 64 x 4 minutes (gain-139 1x1) ,  RGB - 20 each x 3 minutes  - ( gain-121 1x1).

Processing: Data Collection -  Sequence Generator Pro (as FITs).  Sub-frame calibration - Pixinsight. Sub-frame  registration and integration (Average combine -  Winsorized Sigma Clipping) - PixInsight.  Mure Denoise - PixInsight. Non-linear stretching, normalization and gradient removal - PixInsight.   Curves, Levels, RGB combine, Luminance layering - PixInsight.  Final finishing  - Affinity Photo.  Photometric RGB calibration - PixInsight. Annotation - PixInsight, Aladin (Simbad and NED), and Affinity Photo. This image is a  LRGB with luminance layering.  Image processed at 4656x3520 resolution. Final Image size is approximately  4000x3000.

North is up in this image.  The spiral galaxy in the lower left is NGC 5054. It's distance is somewhat different by independent estimate (56 million light years) and by redshift estimate (95 million light years). The other large galaxy, NGC 5044, is an elliptical galaxy and is 120 and 142 million light years distant by independent and redshift estimate (respectively). Other NGC galaxies are NGC 5017, 5031, 5035, 5037, 5038, 5046, 5047, and 5049. Many of these galaxies are members of the very large NGC 5044 galaxy group (over 8 degrees in major axis). A smaller group with roughly the same center is HDC 775. It is mostly covered in this field (lower right quadrant). Some of the quasars  visible in this image range from 2.5 to 11.5 billion light years lookback.   These objects, information, background galaxies and some of the brighter stars are identified in the annotated image. Horizontal FOV is approximately 85 arc minutes. Full size image scale is approximately 1.27 arcsec/pix.. 

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 13h 15m 24s Dec: -16° 23 08"

All images and content remain the property of Jim Thommes - copyright 2003 - 2021

Current Web Total Hits -