Sunday, July 29, 2007

Emission Nebula in M31 Andromeda Galaxy

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©2007 Richard Murray

Full Size Image

Techno Stuff: 7/29/07 ATK-16hr, Megrez 80mm APO at F/6, mounted on LX90 8" SCT, Halpha 6nm 160 minutes total with 20 min subs no binning, Autoguided with Atk-2hs and Guidedog from LX90, No Darks, Processed with CCDStack Photoshop CS2 PixInsight

Notes: Just as most emission nebula in the Milky way emit prodigious amounts of energy in the Halpha range, there is no reason why emisson nebula in the Andromeda Galaxy shouldn't as well. So I spent the night imaging M31 using an Halpha filter to see if I could find a few. And there they are, sprinkled throughout the sprial arms.

The one which I've highlighted is a dead ringer for NGC2359 Thor's Helmet. Imagine an alien amatuer astronomer imaging such a giant emission nebula as this! (I sure would like to know what kind of astronomy equipment he, she, it is using) :>))

4 comments:

heavenabove said...

I have always been attracted to Andromeda Galaxy. What great pictures you have of it. I only have a small scope so I've never been able to see the nebula well at all.

Rick said...

Thanks!

The Andromeda Galaxy has always been a difficult galaxy to image and I didn't have much luck until just recently when I purchased a small good quality scope (Megrez 80 APO). That made a big difference in type of objects I can image now.

Rick

Anonymous said...

Rick, Your knowledge and talent amaze me.

Thanks for your time and talent.

-jif

Rick said...

Thanks Jen! I appreciate the compliment.

Rick