Horsehead M104
The Sombrero Galaxy		 Horsehead

(Click on image for Full Resolution)

(Click here for my 2001 image taken with my C14 and ST-9E)



Date: April 24, 2006
Exposure: LRGB 120:150:70:120 : 12 X 600s L, 15 x 600s R, 7 X 600s G, 12 X 600s B
Processing: CCDSoftV5 for image acquisition, CCDStack for Image calibration,(5 flats each LRGB, Bias subtracted and Sigma Clip combined, 20 bias frames Sigma Clip combined, 10-900s darks Sigma Clip combined), alignment, normalization, color combining. PixInsight for background correction and color gradient removal. Photoshop CS for final color balance and jpg conversion. CCDAutoPilot3 used to collect data over multiple nights.
Conditions: Fair, humid.
Scope: RCOS 16" Truss @ f/8.4
Camera: SBIG STL-11000, -15°, OAG for Guiding w/Remote Guide Head
Comments: I have been chasing this one for many years. This time of year in SC, the seasons are changing and you can get some really good nights, but mostly you get poor seeing and clouds during the new moon. If the seeing and transparency line up, you can get down below 2"/pix FWHM. I have wanted a color image of this one for years, but since 2001, something has always gotten in the way, ie equipment trouble, weather, work. The anitblooming of the STL-11000 let me take 10 min subs and this helped the image S/N, especially in the L frames. This one is my best effort to date.