Galaxies Galore and E.T.

Messier 31 - Andromeda Galaxy

NGC 457 (E.T. Cluster)

NGC 6946 (Fireworks Galaxy)

I normally add some descriptions regarding the above images.  But I thought a nice change of pace would be to post some song lyrics that perfectly fit this time of year as the winter constellations come soaring into view.  These come from the band Beta Radio on their Darden Road album.  You can here the song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1f-ieI1Ols


Both the bears are in their chairs
They're sitting in your upper room
Each night they ascend the stairs
And point to the north with dipping spoons
I hear the seven sisters whisper
they know the place from where they came
Oh the hunter and the bull
Are made full beneath the lion's mane

Oh, all the stars align
for the second time
Oh, I drank the new design
for the second time

The brother twins each other lend
A hand around the upper pole
They drink the wine of the new design
That makes the broken-hearted whole
The dragon came as he did before
Tempting all into his door
He wears stars as his disguise
But a second time he will not rise

Oh, all the stars align
for the second time
Oh, I drank the new design
for the second time

Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh    


M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) - Photo Details
November 19, 2015
Orion 8" Astrograph on VX Mount
SBIG STF-8300C Camera
Baader MPC Mark III Multi-Purpose Coma Corrector
Skyglow filter
48 subframes at 3 minutes/frame
Total Exposure Time = 2 hours 24 minutes
Image Acquisition in CCDOps
Image Stacking in Deep Sky Tracker
Image Processing in PhotoShop

NGC 457 - Photo Details
November 13, 2015
Orion 8" Astrograph on VX Mount
SBIG STF-8300C Camera
Baader MPC Mark III Multi-Purpose Coma Corrector
Skyglow filter
10 subframes at 3 minutes/frame
Total Exposure Time = 30 minutes
Image Acquisition in CCDOps
Image Stacking in Deep Sky Tracker
Image Processing in PhotoShop

NGC 6946 (Firework Galaxy) - Photo Details
October 18-19, 2015
Orion 8" Astrograph on VX Mount
SBIG STF-8300C Camera
Baader MPC Mark III Multi-Purpose Coma Corrector
Skyglow filter
67 subframes at 3 minutes/frame
Total Exposure Time = 3 hours 21 minutes
Image Acquisition in CCDOps
Image Stacking in Deep Sky Tracker
Image Processing in PhotoShop