M33 - The Triangulum Galaxy

M33- The Triangulum GalaxyLRGB composition
2600 second total exposure time, false colors
300mm, f/6.3, Orion Parsec 5.4 micron, 2x2 bin

At an estimated distance of about 900 kpc (give or take some kpc), this galaxy is part of the Local Group.  The Local Group is a collection of galaxies which also contains the MilkyWay and Andromeda among other small dwarf spheroidal galaxies. M33 as it is also known in the Messier Catalog is a spiral galaxy with an approximate mass of 50 billion solar masses and roughly 40 billion stars!  Its apparent magnitude is 5.72 which makes it an ideal extended object to test the darkness level of your observing site.   If you can see M33 with averted vision then you know you are in a pretty good site for astronomical observations.

The image to your right was taken on July 4th, 2011 from VAO in Webster, NY.   It is rendered in false colors to enhance the contrast areas.   I took 3x300 seconds exposures through a luminance filter with IR blocking. 3x200 second exposures through RGB filters, then reduced and combined.

M33- The Triangulum GalaxyLRGB composition
2600 second total exposure time, monochromatic
300mm, f/6.3, Orion Parsec 5.4 micron, 2x2 bin

For those of us who like monochromatic images, here is the combined image before processing with false colors. VAO is now ready for some science runs.  That includes transiting exoplanet exploration and AGN(active galactic nuclei) imaging.  Stay tuned for some more science!

Clear Skies!