NGC 3718, NGC 3729, and UGC 06527
Characteristics:
Magnitude: 11.6
Size: about 8'
Distance: 42 million light years
RA: 11h 32m 56s
Dec: +53 degrees 01' 55"
Description:
NGC 3718 is the larger of the two
prominent galaxies in the image above, characterized by the diffuse "S"
shape of its arms, as well as the tan brown dust lane that runs through
the center (reminiscent of Centaurus A).
The dust lane as well as other detail is better seen on the larger
image shown
here. The smaller companion to its left is NGC 3729, which is
thought to distort NGC 3718 through gravitational interaction.
Near the bottom edge of NGC 3718 can be found a cluster of 5 galaxies
known as Uppsala General Catalog (UGC) 06527 (aka Arp 322 or Hickson
56). Most of my astrophotography colleagues know that I'm trying
to push the limits of a 4" refractor, and this widefield galactic view
is no exception. However, it cannot compare to larger aperture
and dark skies, as can be seen in this image
from Rob Gendler. I would like to think that widefield galactic
images like mine have their own unique appeal, and will leave the high
resolution work to those with permanent set ups under much darker
skies. More information about NGC 3718 may be found here.
Photographic Details:
Date: April 29, 2006.
Scope: Takahashi
FS-102 at f6 , on the G11 Losmandy
Mount.
Autoguider: SBIG STV with
e-finder.
Camera: Maxcam CM10
Filter: Astronomik
Type II R, G, B, plus clear filter set; IDAS LPS.
Exposures: L:R:G:B (160, 40, 40,
50 minutes, unbinned).
Conditions: Temperature 50 degrees F, dropping to mid
30's by dawn; good
transparency; average seeing.
Post-processing: Debloomed with Ron Wodaski's
Debloomer software, calibrated and aligned in Maxim, combined
using RC Sigma Reject
MaximDL, followed by DDP
in ImagesPlus (IP). Levels,
curves, high-pass sharpening in Photoshop CS (16
bit format).
Please
note: Graphics on this website
may not be reproduced without author permission.
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