Coman galaxy cluster - 16.3.2023 at 23.49 - 17.3.2023 at 04.17 Virolahti Observation number 113788

Visibility IV / V

Tero Hiekkalinna, Ursa (Helsinki)

The object of the second night of the Virolahti star tour was the Coma galaxy cluster, whose central region is located approx. 321 million light years from Earth. The cluster includes more than 1000 galaxies. Exposure in the picture is 3 hours and 50 minutes.

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Additional information

Observation target
- Deep space object
Designation
- Coman galaksijoukko
Constellation
- Coma Berenices

Galaxies
- Spiral galaxy
  
  Spiral galaxy is a stellar system where there are outwards arched spiral arms from roundish (spiral galaxies) or bar-shaped (barred spiral galaxies) central condensation.
  
  The apparent shape of spiral galaxied depends on out observation direction. From above they are quite round. From the side they lens-shaped with a bulge in the middle.
  
  Generally a rather large instrument, good weather conditions and observational expereince are needed to see spiral arms. Usually spiral galaxies look like a fuzzy spots.
  
  Spiral galaxy M33 in Triangulum. Image Tero Turunen.
  
  Andromeda Galaxy M31. There are also galaxies M110 (upper right corner) and M32 (lower left corner) in this image. Image Pekka Peura.
  
  M101 aka Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major. Image Samuli Vuorinen.
  
  Spiral galaxy IC 342 aka Hidden Galaxy in Camelopardalis. Image Timo Inkinen.
  
  A sketch of spiral galaxy NGC 7331 in Pegasus. Image Juha Ojanperä.
- Elliptic galaxy
  
  Elliptic galaxy is an oval or roundish shaped distant stellar system, which have no spiral arms. These galaxies look as fuzzy spots with telescopes.
  
  The elliptic galaxy Centaurus A aka NGC 5128 in the middle of image is splitted by a dust lane. Image Toni Veikkolainen.
- Irregular galaxy
  
  Irregular galaxy is a stellar system without clear organized structure.
  
  Irregular galaxy IC 10 in Cassiopeia. Image Rauno Päivinen.
  
  Large Magellanic Cloud is the third nearest galaxy. Image Toni Veikkolainen.
- Galaxy cluster
  
  In a galaxy cluster there are tens or hundreds of galaxies. Typically a moderate big instrument is needed to see galaxy clusters.
  
  The galaxy cluster Hickson 44 in Leo in composed of four galaxies. Image Timo Inkinen.

Technical information

Stand: iOptron CEM60

Image tube and camera: Sky-Watcher 80ED pro-series + Sky-Watcher 0.85x shortener/smoother + ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

Tracking tube and camera: Orion ShortTube 80mm + ZWO ASI224MC

Engine focuser: ZWO EAF

As imaging software I use: NINA - Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy 2.1, PHD2

Image calibration, stacking and processing: PixInsight 1.8.9-1

Images: 46 x 300s = 3 h 50 min. Gain 0 and offset 50.

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Coman galaxy cluster - 16.3.2023 at 23.49 - 17.3.2023 at 04.17 Virolahti Observation number 113788