Monday, March 25, 2019

M109 Galaxy





Messier 109 (M109, NGC 3992) is a magnitude 9.8 barred spiral galaxy in the constellation of Ursa Major, and is located at a distance of about 55 million light years. It has an apparent size of 7x4 arc minutes. The galaxy disk is fairly large but pretty faint and it was a challenge to bring out detail. In telescopic views, its striking central bar gives the galaxy the appearance of the Greek letter "theta", θ, a common mathematical symbol representing an angle. M109 is joined by three spiky foreground stars strung out across this frame.

Optics: Vixen VC200L @ f/6.4
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 synscan Pro
Guiding: SBIG ST2000XM ST4
Camera: SBIG ST2000XM
Filter Wheel: SBIG CFW9
Filters: Astronomik L,R,G,B
CCD Temperature: 0 degrees Celsius
Constellation: Ursa Major
Date: Mar 22, 2019
Location: Korinthos - Greece - Albireo Observatory
Exposure
L:R:G:B: 50:30:30:30 min bin 1x1
Calibration: Darks, Flats, Bias