Messier 59 (M59) & Messier 60 (M60)
M59 Also Known as: NGC 4621 ... M60 Also Known as: NGC 4649
Both Object Type: Elliptical Galaxy
Constellation: Virgo
M59 Distance from Earth: 60 million light years ... M60 Distance from Earth: 56.7 million light years
M59 Apparent Magnitude: 10.6 ... M60 Apparent Magnitude: 9.8
M59 Coordinates: RA 12H 42M 02.322S DEC 11deg 38min 48.95sec
M60 Coordinates: RA 12H 43M 40.008S DEC 11deg 33min 09.40sec
M59 Actual Size:: 92,000 light years in diameter... M60 Actual Size:: 120,000 light years in diameter.
M59 Apparent Dimensions:: 5.4 arc-minutes x 3.7 arc-minutes ... M60 Apparent Dimensions:: 7.4 arc-minutes x 6 arc-minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Data
Date: May 9, 2023 Start Time: 8:50PM End Time: 2:25AM SQM: 15.23
Moon Age: 18.6 days Moonset: 8:16 AM Moon Illumination: 84.3%
Temperature: 52 degrees F Humidity: 73% Dew Point: 49 degrees F
Location: Westport, Massachusetts 02790 Sky Condition: Mirky
Comment: PHD2 calibration good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imaging Scope Data
Mount: iOptron CEM120 Camera: ZWO ASI2600 OSC Focuser: Optec QuickSync FT20
Telescope: Celestron 11 inch SCT Edge Focal Length: 1960mm
Focal Reducer/Field Flattener: 0.7 focal reducer Filter: None
Rotator: Pegasus Falcon Power Control: Pegasus Ultimate Powerbox V2 Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip
Imaging Software
Mount: iOptron Commander Focuser: Optec FocusLynx Commander
Imaging: Sequence Generator Pro Platesolve: ASTAP Rotator/Control: Pegasus Unity Platform
Imaging Status
Imaging Software: Sequence Generated Focus HRF 2.7 Platesolve: Success on 3rd attempt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guide Scope Data
Telescope: Stellarvue SV90 refractor Camera: ZWO ASI290 Focuser: Optec DirectSync SVX30
Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip Software: PHD2 Exposure: 1 sec Binning: 1x1 Tracking Result: 0.65 arc-seconds RMS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Images Taken
Number of light frames: 152 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -10 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
Total Integration Time: 5.07 hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of flat frames: 50 Duration: 0.15 seconds Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -10 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
Flat Field Illumination: All-Pro 'Spike-a-Flat Field standard' illuminated panel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Dark frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -10 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Bias frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 0.001 seconds Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -10 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imaging Processing
Imaging Processing Software: PixInsight
Processes utilized: Linear - calibration/integration: Flats ImageCalibration with Master Bias, Flat ImageIntegration, Images ImageCalibration with Flat Master & Dark Master, Debayer, SubFrameSelector, StarAlign, ImageIntegration
Linear - Background extraction, Color correction, deconvolution, noise reduction: DynamicCrop, DynamicBackgroundExtraction, ImageSolve, SpectroPhotometricColorCalibration, BlurXTerminator, NoiseXterminator
Non-Linear: GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch script, MultiscaleLinear Transform to sharpen, CurvesTransformation, DynamicCrop
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
Click Below Image for Full Size:
Click to Return to Home Page