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The Pinwheel Galaxy |
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Click here to enlarge photograph.
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DESCRIPTION Why do many galaxies appear as spirals? A striking example is M101 whose relatively close distance of about 22 million light years allow it to be studied in some detail. Recent evidence indicates that a close gravitational interaction with a neighboring galaxy created waves of high mass and condensed gas which continue to orbit the galaxy center. These waves compress existing gas and cause star formation. One result is that M101, also called the Pinwheel Galaxy, has several extremely bright star-forming regions (called HII regions) spread across its spiral arms. M101 is so large that its immense gravity distorts smaller nearby galaxies. Constellation: Ursa Major - Distance: 22,000,000 Light Years RA: 14h 03m 19s - DEC: +54d 20m 19s - Magnitude: 7.9 - Apparent Size: 22' |
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| Date Taken: 04.27.04 Telescope: Televue 102 @ F8.2(Lum) Intes MK69 @ F/6 (RGB) Focuser: Finger Lakes DF-2 Camera: SBIG ST2000XM w/CFW8A Mount: Astro Physics AP900GTO Guider: SBIG ST2000XM Internal TC-211 CCD Filter Set: SBIG / Custom Scientific LRGB |
L: 16 x 900 sec 1x1 R: 8 x 900 sec 2x2 G: 6 x 900 sec 2x2 B: 6 x 900 sec 2x2 Total Exposure Time: 540 Minutes (9 Hours) Integrations Dark and Flat frame subtracted. Combined using Russell Croman's Sigma Combine Plug-in for Maxim/DL. Curves and Levels, sharpending and noise reduction using Photoshop CS and Grain Surgery Pro. |
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