M33 Pinwheel

M33 is a very large galaxy in Triangulum, known also as the Pinwheel galaxy for its beautiful spiral structure. Visually, it is very large and has a low surface brightness, making it harder to see in a telescope. Its magnitude is listed at 6.2, which is barely naked eye at a good dark site. The apparent size is 70.3'x41.8' and it is obvious that only the inner core is captured in this short exposure of M33. This image was meant as a test of the new homebuilt OTA (a 10" newtonian), hence the shorter exposures. Since the scope didn't have the other dovetail mounted, the indivdual frames were all taken unguided. The large emission nebula at the far left is NGC604. Many others are visible as well. Image was taken at Chiefland.

Image info:

10" Newtonian on a Losmandy Titan Mount

Starlight Express
SXV-H9C

25x1 min + 34x30 sec = total of 42 minutes

f/4.5

Acquired in Astroart and processed in Maxim as an RGB image (no darks and no flats)

unguided

11.13.04

Chiefland Star Party