Hi all

This image was taken a few nights ago from my backyard on the Central Coast of NSW. It wasn't the best timing, as I started shooting it from too low (about 30deg) and had to finish the exposures before the moon rose at about 12:30am.

I had set it up to take 25x 4 min exposures, but the last 8 were ruined as my target went behind a tree branch (I was hoping it would clear it).

So this image is the result of 17x 4 minute exposures @ ISO400, darks ICNR, flats. Taken with the unmodded Canon 350D on ED80, WO 0.8x reducer, on EQ6 guided with DMK/PHD.

I knew the galaxy was small but it's really small at the focal length I'm using. Definitely one for the long focal length scopes. Anyway, I've imaged it now so I can move on

You can see the 1200px wide version by clicking on the image on the page below:

M104 - Sombrero Galaxy

Thanks for looking.

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Mike
. mikesalway.com.au - Astronomy and Photography by Mike Salway
. IceInSpace - The Australian Amateur Astronomy Community
. My Bio | My Jupiter 2007 Gallery | My Image Gallery

Simply a Beaut! Mike, even for its size with your present equipment the details around it and its wide angle really makes this photo Sharp! Clear Skies

Hi Mike. You have one great photo here. This widefield image is super, it gives us all an idea just how far out there m-104 truely is. And as Efrain said it is very sharp and in focus. Well done. Clear skies to you Paul.

Paul said it very well. It looks lonely out there! Very nice shot.

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Observatorio de la Ballona

I love the way your wide field shots put these objects in perspective.

Kind regards
Matt

Beautiful shot!

Hi Mike,
Simply the Best & Sharpest widefield shot of M104 I've ever seen!

Awesome Job!

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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

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your comments.

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Mike
. mikesalway.com.au - Astronomy and Photography by Mike Salway
. IceInSpace - The Australian Amateur Astronomy Community
. My Bio | My Jupiter 2007 Gallery | My Image Gallery

very nice. Mine looks nothing like that.

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"I will do my best to understand and explain the universe from big to small without invoking miracles, unrepeatable events, or divine intervention. In place of those things I will use observations, mathematics, and science."


-Cross
My travel blog

Some of my Astrophotography


Those that lack education have a hard time understanding its value. - Cross

I'm loving your wide-field shots. It provides a different point of view for targets which seem familiar, otherwise.

-Veeger

Great shot! Like others have said the wide view of the shot really gives it a sense of solitude.

Sometimes close ups really show the detail in a subject but it doesn't really portray the sheer vastness of space and how isolated objects are, your image however does both really nicely, although small it is very clear and full of detil and like the others have said it portrays isolation and vastness of space. Sometimes the saying "Less is more" and you have achieved that with spades, excellent image!
Regards
Gordon

Nice shot. I just live for the day I can shoot a pic like that. Looks like desktop material to me.

Good Work!!!

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Bill
tampapi@gmail.com
www.tampapi.com

Celestron C130
Orion 100MM F6
ETX90
Celestron Astro Binos