NGC 3718 and NGC 3729
Also Known as: Arp 214, UGC 6524, PGC 35616 (NGC 351)
Object Type: Spiral Galaxy (NGC 3718) and Barred Spiral Galaxy (NGC 3729)
Constellation: Ursa Major
Distance from Earth: 47.84 million light years (NGC 3718), 65.7 million light years (NGC 3729)
Apparent Magnitude: 10.61 (NGC 3718), 11.0 (NGC 3729)
Coordinates: RA 11H 32M 34.94S DEC 53 deg 04 min 18 sec (NGC 3718), RA 11H 33M 49.3S DEC 53 deg 07 min 32 sec (NGC 3729
Actual Size:
Apparent Dimensions: 2.94 arc-minutes x 2.352 arc-minutes (NGC 3718), 2.8 arc-minutes x 1.8 arc-minutes (NGC 3729)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Data
Date: March 10, 2025 Start Time: 7:42 PM End Time: 2:58 AM SQM: 17.74
Moon Age: 11.8 days Moonset: 5:35PM Moon Illumination: 90.5%
Temperature: 46 degrees F Humidity: 52% Dew Point: 29 degrees F
Location: Westport, Massachusetts 02790 Sky Condition: Clear, clouds later
Comment:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imaging Scope Data
Mount: iOptron CEM120 Camera: ZWO ASI2600 monochrome Focuser: Optec QuickSync FT20
Telescope: Celestron 11 inch SCT Edge Focal Length: 1960mm
Focal Reducer/Field Flattener: 0.7 focal reducer Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip
Filter Wheel : ZWO EFW 7 position 2 inch Filter(s): Baader Lum CMOS optimized 2 inch, Baader RED CMOS optimized 2 inch, Baader GREEN CMOS optimized 2 inch, Baader BLUE CMOS optimized 2 inch
Rotator: Pegasus Falcon 2 Power Control: Pegasus Ultimate Powerbox V2
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 4.3 (Red) Platesolve: Success on 2nd attempt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guide Scope Data
Telescope: Stellarvue SVX130 refractor Camera: ZWO ASI290 Focuser: Optec DirectSync SV35
Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip Software: PHD2 Exposure: 2 sec Binning: 1x1 Tracking Result: 0.65 arc-seconds RMS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Images Taken
Number of light frames (LUM): 55 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Number of light frames (Red): 45 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Number of light frames (green): 45 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Number of light frames (Blue: 45 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -20 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
Total Integration Time: 6.33 hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of flat frames (LUM): 40 Duration: 0.023 Gain:100
Number of flat frames (Red): 40 Duration: 0.073 Gain: 100
Number of flat frames (Green): 40 Duration: 0.043 Gain: 100
Number of flat frames (Blue): 40 Duration: 0.095 Gain: 100
Flat Field Illumination: All-Pro 'Spike-a-Flat Field standard' illuminated panel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Dark frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Number of Bias frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 0.001 seconds Gain: 100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imaging Processing
Imaging Processing Software: PixInsight
Processes utilized: Linear - calibration/integration:
For each of the LUM, RED, GREEN, and BLUE lights: Flats ImageCalibration with Master Bias, Flat ImageIntegration, Images ImageCalibration with Flat Master & Dark Master, SubFrameSelector
StarAlign all calibrated lights using best LUM image as reference, ImageIntegration of each of the LUM, RED, GREEN, and BLUE sets
Linear - Background extraction, Color correction, deconvolution, noise reduction:
LUM GradientCorrection, BlurXTerminator, NoiseXterminator
RED/GREEN/BLUE GradientCorrection, LRGBCombination to create color image using only Red/Green/Blue, ImageSolve, SpectroPhotometricColorCalibration, BlurXTerminator, NoiseXterminator
Non-Linear:
LUM: GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch script, HistogramTransform, MultiscaleLinearTransform for sharpening
COLOR: GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch script, HistogramTransform, CurbesTransformation
ImageBlend script to combine LUM and COLOR masters, HistogramTransform, MultiscalLinearTransform to soften.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
Click Below Image for Full Size:
Click to Return to Home Page