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Date December 2010 |
Location Mayhill, NM |
Software ACP, MaxIm DL, TheSky6 |
Mount Software Bisque Paramount ME |
Guide Atik 16IC, Astrodon MMOAG |
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Optic OGS/RCOS 10" RC |
Camera Atik 11000C |
Filter OSC RGB |
Exposure 1200s x 19 |
Process Astroart 5, Photoshop CS5 |
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Billions and Billions.com/NGC 697 Group
The NGC 697 Group in Aries is the first image published from my new observatory. My intended target these nights was NGC 678, the edge-on at 7 o'clock. Thanks to TheSkyX I became aware of the wider field populated by several beautiful galaxies. Taking advantage of the 35mm frame, I composed the shot to include them. While researching the region for this page, I learned this is an assembly of interacting galaxies called the NGC 697 Group. Beginning at 10 o'clock is NGC 691, IC 167 at 11 o'clock, the primary- NGC 697 at 2 o'clock, and above and slightly left of NGC 678 is the elliptical NGC 680. The shapes and colors of each galaxy are wonderfully different from one another and closer inspection will reveal at least five other smaller galaxies. See here for more information. Click for a larger version or return to the Gallery