| LATEST IMAGES FROM LAND OF OZ OBSERVATORY (Click on thumbnail image for full-size image) |
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The "Leo Trio" (M-65, M-66 and NGC-3628) Galaxy group in LEO: This image was captured on the morning
of April 7th, 2010, and is an integration of twenty-five 90 second exposures through an 80mm APO Refractor
at f/3.75. The image was captured using Maxim DL Essentials, and was processed in Nebulosity v 2.1. Post
processing was done using Photoshop CS levels & curves, Carboni's Astronomy Tools, and NoiseWare.
of April 7th, 2010, and is an integration of twenty-five 90 second exposures through an 80mm APO Refractor
at f/3.75. The image was captured using Maxim DL Essentials, and was processed in Nebulosity v 2.1. Post
processing was done using Photoshop CS levels & curves, Carboni's Astronomy Tools, and NoiseWare.
New at Oz Observatory: This is the very first attempt at imaging with the new HyperStar system, on October 1,2010.
The fact that the right-hand side of the image is out of focus indicates that the HyperStar unit needs to have its
collimation adusted. Hopefully on my next observing run, I can make the necessary adjustments by taking a series of test
images and adjusting after each one. But I am VERY pleased with the SPEED of this f/2 system! The left image is a
composite of thirty 60 second exposures. The amount of nebulosity captured is amazing! I can't wait to get back and do
some more imaging. As more HyperStar images are taken, they will appear under "CCD Images" . The image was
captured in Nebulosity and post-processed using Photoshop CS. The image on right was taken 1 week later. Same
processing, but used thirty-five 90-second exposures, captured in Nebulosity v. 2.2.8 and post-processed in Photoshop
CS. The focus is now "softer" at the lower left-hand corner, indicating that I might have gone too for the other way in
adjusting the collimation. Fine tuning of collimation will have to continue.
The fact that the right-hand side of the image is out of focus indicates that the HyperStar unit needs to have its
collimation adusted. Hopefully on my next observing run, I can make the necessary adjustments by taking a series of test
images and adjusting after each one. But I am VERY pleased with the SPEED of this f/2 system! The left image is a
composite of thirty 60 second exposures. The amount of nebulosity captured is amazing! I can't wait to get back and do
some more imaging. As more HyperStar images are taken, they will appear under "CCD Images" . The image was
captured in Nebulosity and post-processed using Photoshop CS. The image on right was taken 1 week later. Same
processing, but used thirty-five 90-second exposures, captured in Nebulosity v. 2.2.8 and post-processed in Photoshop
CS. The focus is now "softer" at the lower left-hand corner, indicating that I might have gone too for the other way in
adjusting the collimation. Fine tuning of collimation will have to continue.
The Pegasus 1 Galaxy Cluster: Located approximately 5 degrees SW of Markab, Alpha Pegasi, this is a dense cluster of
galaxies which lies approximately 200 million light years from earth. The cluster is centered on the two massive elliptical galaxies,
NGC-7619 (left center) and NGC-7626 (right center) which both shine at 11th magnitude. The other fainter galaxies in this image
range from 13.7 magnitude down to 16.5 magnitude. This image was captured on the evening of November 5, 2010, and is an
integration of ten 60-second exposures through the C-11 at f/2 using HyperStar. Captured in Maxim DL Essentials, processed in
Nebulosity. Post-processing using PhotoshopCS, levels, curves & color balance. Noise filtered using NoiseWare.
galaxies which lies approximately 200 million light years from earth. The cluster is centered on the two massive elliptical galaxies,
NGC-7619 (left center) and NGC-7626 (right center) which both shine at 11th magnitude. The other fainter galaxies in this image
range from 13.7 magnitude down to 16.5 magnitude. This image was captured on the evening of November 5, 2010, and is an
integration of ten 60-second exposures through the C-11 at f/2 using HyperStar. Captured in Maxim DL Essentials, processed in
Nebulosity. Post-processing using PhotoshopCS, levels, curves & color balance. Noise filtered using NoiseWare.
The NGC-183 Galaxy Group: A dense cluster of faint galaxies in the constellation Andromeda, located only 15 arcminutes north of
4th magnitude Epsilon Andromedae. The brightest member of the group is NGC-183, the 13th magnitude elliptical galaxy which lies
just below and left of the center of the frame. There are 13 fainter galaxies in this image, ranging from 15th magnitude NGC-181, to
the lower left of NGC-183, all the way down to 17th magnitude. This image was captured on the evening of November 4, 2010, and
is an integration of fifteen 60-second exposures through the C-11 at f/2 using HyperStar. Captured in Maxim DL Essentials and
processed in Nebulosity. Post-processing using Photoshop CS levels & curves, Astronomy Tools, and Noiseware.
4th magnitude Epsilon Andromedae. The brightest member of the group is NGC-183, the 13th magnitude elliptical galaxy which lies
just below and left of the center of the frame. There are 13 fainter galaxies in this image, ranging from 15th magnitude NGC-181, to
the lower left of NGC-183, all the way down to 17th magnitude. This image was captured on the evening of November 4, 2010, and
is an integration of fifteen 60-second exposures through the C-11 at f/2 using HyperStar. Captured in Maxim DL Essentials and
processed in Nebulosity. Post-processing using Photoshop CS levels & curves, Astronomy Tools, and Noiseware.
NGC-2903: A large, bright, many-armed barred spiral galaxy in the constellation of Leo the Lion. NGC-2903 is located approximately
2 degrees SSW of Lambda Leonis, the star at the tip of the "sickle" of Leo. Visually, this galaxy is about 11 X 4 arcminutes in size
and glows at a magnitude of 9.7, making it a fine sight in amateur-sized telescopes. This galaxy lies at a distance of over 25 million
light years from earth. Also seen in this image is the small faint galaxy PGC- 27115, which is 16.5 magnitude. It lies halfway between
2903 and the upper lefthand corner of the frame.
2 degrees SSW of Lambda Leonis, the star at the tip of the "sickle" of Leo. Visually, this galaxy is about 11 X 4 arcminutes in size
and glows at a magnitude of 9.7, making it a fine sight in amateur-sized telescopes. This galaxy lies at a distance of over 25 million
light years from earth. Also seen in this image is the small faint galaxy PGC- 27115, which is 16.5 magnitude. It lies halfway between
2903 and the upper lefthand corner of the frame.
M-95 (NGC-3351): A fine face-on barred spiral galaxy located in the center of the constellation Leo, about 9 degrees east of
Regulus (Alpha Leonis). M-95 is paired with M-96, a spiral galaxy which lies 45 arcminutes to the east. M-95 has a bright center
and a pronounced central bar surrounded by circular spiral arms which gives it a structure resembling the greek letter Theta.
Visually, the galaxy is approximately 5 minutes of arc in diameter. Astronomers currently believe that this pair of galaxies lie
about 29 million light years from earth.
NOTE: This image is an integration of fifteen 120 second exposures through the 11-inch Celestron at f/2 using HyperStar.
Images were captured and combined using Nebulosity v.2.2.8, with further post processing using Photoshop CS. Images were
taken the morning of March 6th, 2011.
Regulus (Alpha Leonis). M-95 is paired with M-96, a spiral galaxy which lies 45 arcminutes to the east. M-95 has a bright center
and a pronounced central bar surrounded by circular spiral arms which gives it a structure resembling the greek letter Theta.
Visually, the galaxy is approximately 5 minutes of arc in diameter. Astronomers currently believe that this pair of galaxies lie
about 29 million light years from earth.
NOTE: This image is an integration of fifteen 120 second exposures through the 11-inch Celestron at f/2 using HyperStar.
Images were captured and combined using Nebulosity v.2.2.8, with further post processing using Photoshop CS. Images were
taken the morning of March 6th, 2011.
| Type II Supernova erupts in Galaxy M-51! |
On May 31, 2011 an amateur CCD imager in France captured the discovery image of a new type II supernova in M-51,
which has been designated as Supernova 2011 dh. I had previously imaged this galaxy on the evening of May 3, 2011.
During my last session at Land of Oz Observatory on June 3/4, 2011, I happened to image this galaxy again. At the time, I was
unaware of the supernova, and didn't learn of it until the afternoon of June 4. I immediately looked at my "raw" capture images, and
THERE IT WAS! At the time I first imaged it, the supernova was approximately 13.7 magnitude. I imaged the galaxy again on the
evening of July 1st, and the supernova was considerably brighter than on June 3rd, although it appeared to reach peak brightness
a few days earlier, on June 21st at magnitude 12.7. The animation above uses the combined images from May 3rd, June 4th and
July 1st. Although registration isn't perfect and the images show slight differences due to processing, the animation clearly show
the appearance and sugsequent brightening of supernova 2011 dh.
UPDATE: Astronomers have confirmed that the supernova, designated 2011 dh , was indeed a type II event, and was produced by
the explosion of a yellow supergiant star of approximately 18 to 25 solar masses. Prior to its detonation, the star had a visual
magnitude of 21.8, well beyond reach of visual astronomers. By June 17th, the star was now at 12.7 magnitude and easily visible in
an 8-inch telescope!!
which has been designated as Supernova 2011 dh. I had previously imaged this galaxy on the evening of May 3, 2011.
During my last session at Land of Oz Observatory on June 3/4, 2011, I happened to image this galaxy again. At the time, I was
unaware of the supernova, and didn't learn of it until the afternoon of June 4. I immediately looked at my "raw" capture images, and
THERE IT WAS! At the time I first imaged it, the supernova was approximately 13.7 magnitude. I imaged the galaxy again on the
evening of July 1st, and the supernova was considerably brighter than on June 3rd, although it appeared to reach peak brightness
a few days earlier, on June 21st at magnitude 12.7. The animation above uses the combined images from May 3rd, June 4th and
July 1st. Although registration isn't perfect and the images show slight differences due to processing, the animation clearly show
the appearance and sugsequent brightening of supernova 2011 dh.
UPDATE: Astronomers have confirmed that the supernova, designated 2011 dh , was indeed a type II event, and was produced by
the explosion of a yellow supergiant star of approximately 18 to 25 solar masses. Prior to its detonation, the star had a visual
magnitude of 21.8, well beyond reach of visual astronomers. By June 17th, the star was now at 12.7 magnitude and easily visible in
an 8-inch telescope!!
