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Old May 17th 08, 08:03 AM posted to alt.binaries.pictures.astro
Rick Johnson[_3_]
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Posts: 262
Default ASTRO: Deep into NGC 3077

Again, moonlight thwarted what I really wanted to do with this object.
It has lots of outlying star clusters forming from gas and dust ripped
from this galaxy in its collision with M81 and M82. I wonder if it was
a spiral before the collision based on all the dust lanes still remaining.

I have picked up some hint of the clusters but little of their
connection to the galaxy as moonlight drown that out. Another project
for next spring assuming it is better than this one. The second image
shows the outlying star clusters I've been able to identify. It is a 2x
blowup of part of the main image. Those that are along an arc are
sometimes known as "The Garland" per NED. I'd never heard of it before.
The shot is rather noisy due to moonlight and lack of exposure time.
Weather just wasn't cooperative and hasn't been since early September.
But seeing was far better than usual so I took what the weather gave me.
I wanted to do two more rounds but the moon was too high that night
and getting higher so I quit. Never had seeing to allow another try.

14" LX200R @ f/10, L=4x10' RGB=2x10', STL-11000XM, Paramount ME

Rick

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Correct domain name is arvig and it is net not com. Prefix is correct.
Third character is a zero rather than a capital "Oh".

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