Needle Galaxy Captured and Processed

I'm starting to feel productive in galaxy season as I've completed another. This one is NGC 4565 (the Needle Galaxy). The data on the Needle Galaxy is a combination of 4.7 hours of data captured this year combined with 6.2 hours from last year. Here is more info on the hardware and software:

Target:
Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565)

Imaging Telescope:
Explore Scientific 127mm ED Refractor (952 focal length)

Focuser:
MoonLite 2.5" Focuser with Motor Auto-Focus

Field Flattener:
HoTech 2" SCA Field Flattener

Mount:
Celestron CGX

Polar Alignment:
QHYCCD PoleMaster

Imaging Camera:
ZWO ASI1600MM-Cool

Frames:

Optolong L-Pro: 386x30" (gain: 75, offset: 15)
Astronomik CLS: 500x30" (gain: 139, offset: 21)
Astronomik Red: 60x30" (gain: 75, offset: 15)
Astronomik Red: 20x120" (gain: 139, offset: 21)
Astronomik Green: 60x30" (gain: 75, offset: 15)
Astronomik Green: 40x60" (gain: 139, offset: 21)
Astronomik Blue: 60x30" (gain: 75, offset: 15)
Astronomik Blue: 40x60" (gain: 139, offset: 21)

Integration:10.9 hours

Guide scope:
Orion ST80

Guide Camera:
Lodestar X2

Guide Software:
PHD2

Calibration Frames:
Darks: 50, Bias: 50, Flats: 50

Capture software:
Sequence Generator Pro (SGP)

Stacking software:
PixInsight

Post Processing:
PixInsight, PhotoShop

Dew Shield, Dew Heater Strip

Target:

Solar Animation

Telescope: Orion ED80T CF
Camera: ZWO ASI183MM (non-cooled)
Filter: DayStar Filters Quark
UV-IR: Astronomik L-1
Mount: Celestron AVX
Focuser: MoonLite Telescope Accessories

Capture software: SharpCap 3.1
Stacking software: AutoStakkert
Post-processing: PixInsight

#needlegalaxy #astronomy #astrophotography

[ChucksAstrophotography]

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[AstroBackyard]

Really nice work, Chuck. Your images are always top notch!

[wesleydonnelly]

Hey Chuck! I love this particular Galaxy because it's so sharp and pointed and looks really cool! Love the work you did to produce your final image. Awesome work and one of my favourites of your entire collection to date! Thank You for the great work as usual my friend!

[phillhinkler]

The needle galaxy for me, is one of the most majestic in the sky, and your image of it is excellent. You really have some great galaxies there in the Northern hemisphere. I had a go at imaging this one the other night from just north of Brisbane, Australia and found that it would be a real struggle to end up with anything decent.

[RaysAstrophotography]

Chuck, very inspiring video for folks who are sitting on the side lines and not imaging. Beautiful images both old and new. New one looks a bit sharper with better contrast.

[fklucid]

That’s a great capture chuck. The darkness shows the beauty and emptiness of space. Keep doing what you do.

[kajouman]

nice one chuck.. its really a great galaxy to see.

[Codyyyyyyyyyy]

I prefer the new version because of the better background and the extra galaxies that are visible. I do kinda like the contrast in the center of the galaxy on the old version more though. You could probably try making a composite without too much effort and see how that would look. Great video as always!

[athopi]

Congrats on making their banner! I was a pinky nail thickness from pulling the trigger on that 60mm Quark combo, but ordered some other essentials my set up has been needing instead. Rob

[I_Spaced_Out]

Wow, 4 days before I got the notification that you put this video out here! The needle and sombrero are on my list of targets to hit this year, if El Nino ever goes neutral this year. At this rate, I'm pretty sure I'll have a new RC before the skies clear enough for me to start tackling galaxy season :(

[deejaybustab]

I like the newer needle because the background is not as “crushed” from being too black. You got me thinking about next year as I can go after that galaxy again & add this years data to it too for more hours 👍🏽

[beebebop]

Thank you for sharing these images, Chuck! LOVE the sun spot video. What a lovely way to start my weekend. :-)

[robsbackyardastrophotograp]

The new Needle looks awesome! Awesome proms!

[matforsbon]

Great image of the needle Chuck! I was thinking if this Galaxy, was a face on to us, it would be one of the most majestic Galaxies in the sky.

[eddwar]

Really really amazing picture, I like the new one, you captured more galaxies in one picture. But in the old one I like the blackest background it give more contrast to the galaxies.

[df]

Thanks chuck I love your videos and learn so much. Keep it up sir!!

[astrophotonics]

Like the old shot of NGC 4565 better. Nice Solar work!

[johnadastra]

Also need to try this target Chuck; great for this time of year with galaxy season in bloom. I do like the new version a little better with a bit more detail in the dust lanes I think. Sometimes I can get some really improved galaxy core details with Local Histogram Equalization - and this is much faster to use than Deconvolution.


Wondering if your detail improvement is due to the use of the L-Pro instead of your old Luminance filter. I have been debating making this substitution myself.


Cheers,


John


P.S. Congrats on the Explore Scientific pic. Great to get a nod right from the manufacturer :) .

[wesleydonnelly]

Hey Chuck! My friend, i like the Needle Gal' with the darker/blacker background. I just think it makes the contrast better, and makes the Gal's colours look sharper, deeper, more vibrant. Only slight issue is the Stars look a little puffy in blacker one on left ? It's a tough one my friend!


Wes, Liverpool, England.

[andyweeks]

Seems to me you have a little more detail on the smaller bulge plus that smaller galaxy. Great effort and congrats on the ES site pitcture.