Messier 98 (M98)
Also Known as: NGC 4192
Object Type: Intermediate Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Distance from Earth: 44.4 million Light years
Apparent Magnitude: 10.1
Coordinates: RA 12H 13M 48.292S DEC 14deg 54min 01.69sec
Actual Size: 160,000 light years in diameter
Apparent Dimensions: 9.8 arc-minutes x 2.8 arc-minutes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Data
Date: April 24 & 25, 2024 Start Time: 8:32PM/8:43PM End Time: 1:41AM/2:44AM SQM: 16.86
Moon Age:(April 25) 15.9 days Moonrise: 9:46PM Moon Illumination: 98.4%
Temperature: 57 degrees F Humidity: 71% Dew Point: 47.5 degrees F
Location: Westport, Massachusetts 02790 Sky Condition: Clear
Comment: Wind gusts on Aprl 24, so installed wind shield to West side of observatory
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Rotator 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 HFR 3.0 & 2.44 Platesolve: Good on 3rd attempt on April 24, good on 2nd attempt April 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guide Scope Data
Telescope: Stellarvue SV90 refractor Camera: ZWO ASI290 Focuser: Optec DirectSync SVX30
Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip Software: PHD2 Exposure: 2 sec Binning: 1x1 Tracking Result: 1.0 arc-seconds on April 24 due top wind gusts, 0.7 arc-seconds RMS on April 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Images Taken
Number of light frames: 76 on April 24 and 163 on April 25 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -10 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
Total Integration Time: 7.97 hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of flat frames: 50 both nights Duration: 0.05 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:U100
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: DynamicBackgroundExtraction, ImageSolve, SpectroPhotometricColorCalibration, BlurXTerminator, NoiseXterminator
Non-Linear: GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch script, MultiscaleLinearTransform for sharpening, HistgramTransformation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: On April 24 computer shutdown at about 11:23PM. Restarted using saved sequence in SGP. Used same sequence on April 25 since many (most) of the frames from April 24 were distorted due to wind gusts.
Click Below Image for Full Size:
Click to Return to Home Page