NGC 5068 and 5084 in Virgo

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW (2400x1800)

Scope: Explore Scientific MN152 Maksutov Newtonian at f/4.8, Location: Laguna Mountains, San Diego County, CA   18 April 2015  Camera: Atik 383L

Exposure: Exposure: 16 x 8 min  (1x1 bin) exposure with UV/IR block,  8 x 4 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 2400x1800.

North is to the left in this image. The dominant galaxy on the left is NGC 5068; the galaxy on the right is NGC 5084. NGC 5084 is the flagship galaxy of the NGC 5084 galaxy group; it has an active galaxy nucleus. Also in this field is the distant Abell 1709 galaxy cluster, but at this image scale, it looks like a group of stars . There are a number of noticeable smaller or background galaxies in this field. These  galaxies are identified in the  the annotated image.  NGC 5068  is approximately 20 million light years distant from Earth; NGC 5084 is approximately 82 million light years distant; the Abell 1709 galaxy cluster is approximately 697 million light years distant.  Horizontal FOV is 88'

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 13h 19m 30s Dec: -21°27'33"

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

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