The Virgo Cluster Core - Also Known as the Markarian Chain

The 3 brightest galaxies visible in this shot are.........
M84 & M86(right), M87(lower left), and over 50 NGC galaxies are visible in this image.
Takahashi Sky 90 (a 4 inch scope at 500MM FL) & ST10 CCD for 20 minute exposure LRGB

I'm still amazed what a small 4" scope or 500mm lens with CCD can capture!


Enjoy!

Attached Images

virgoclustercore2.jpg (88.3 KB, 1 views)

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Best Regards,
John Chumack
The Chumack Observatories
MPC 838 Dayton Research Station
MPC H66 Yellow Springs Research Station
www.galacticimages.com

That is a fine image. thanks for sharing

Nice job, John. It just goes to show that f/ratio is more important than aperture as far as astrophotography and imaging are concerned.

Dave Mitsky

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Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

Galactic that is truly one fine photo. I have wanted to try widefield photography for some time now. So I bought a used EQ 4504 goto mount and tripod. I was going to use my cannon a1 but it went down before I could try it out. The camera shop told me it was going to cost alot to fix it, so that put my project on hold. last week I went to the mall and bought a small 2in x 350mm fl Meade refractor just to try. I know its a cheap telescope but for starting out I think its good enough. If and when I get some good photos I will post them.
yours in the way Paul F. Campbell

I just find it amazing that despite the amount of stuff in our galaxy, that we are still in a position to obsreve other glaxies without the view being obstructed o_0

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In the spring, when the Coma-Virgo Cluster is at its peak, and the fall our view of the night sky is unencumbered by the dust and gas of the Milky Way so myriad galaxies can be observed or imaged. In fact, the term zone of avoidance was coined to refer to those areas to avoid due to the obscurring effects of our galaxy.

http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/..._avoidance.html

http://www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/q2583.html

The same applies to the celestial poles, hence the HST Deep Field images.

http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/newsdesk/...s/1996/01/text/

Nevertheless, there are a number of galaxies that can be seen in the summer and winter despite the influence of the Milky Way.

Dave Mitsky

__________________
Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.
Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.