Utah Skies Presents

John Blackwell

Astro-Photographer-of-the-Month

Galaxies

	Photograph Details An RGB composite image using SBIG color filter wheel. L:30min R:5min G:5min B:10min, self guided. A dark frame was subtracted from each image followed by Luminance Layering in Adobe Photoshop. 26-April-2003. Equipment: Takahashi CN-212 in Newtonian mode on a Losmandy G-11 using an SBIG ST-7 CCD Non-E Non-ABG
	Object Details Common Name: The Whirlpool Galaxy Catalog Designation: M51 Constellation: Canes Venatici Visual Magnitude: 8.4 Angular Size: 11'x7.8 Distance from Earth: 15 million light years Right Ascension: 13h 30' 01" Declination: +47° 11' 30"

	Photograph Details An LRGB composite image with ratios of 30:5:5:12 minutes. Dark frames subtracted from each. Equipment: Takahashi FSQ-106n at f/5 on a Losmandy G11 using an SBIG ST-7
	Object Details Common Name: The Triangulum Galaxy Catalog Designation: M33 Constellation: Triangulum Visual Magnitude: 5.71 Angular Size: 62' x 39' Distance from Earth: 2.3 million light years Right Ascension: 01h 34' 03" Declination: +30° 39' 59"

Photograph Details

The scope was guided with a parallel mounted C-8 operating at f/6.3 with an SBIG ST-7. Standard development was followed by the negative being scanned into digital with an Olympus ES-10. The resulting file was then saved for the web.

Equipment: Takahashi FSQ-106n f/5 on a Losmandy G-11 using an Olympus OM-1n camera for a one hour exposure on Kodak Royal Gold film ISO 400.

Object Details

Common Name: The Andromeda Galaxy
Catalog Designation: M31
Constellation: Andromeda
Visual Magnitude: 3.47
Angular Size: 3.0° x 1.1°
Distance from Earth: 2.2 million light years
Right Ascension: 00h 42' 50"
Declination: +41° 16' 59"

	Photograph Details An addition of three 5 minute integration for luminance 5:5:12min for RGB, self guided. Dark frames were subtracted. This is a showpiece object worth seeing visually. November 23/24, 2000. Equipment: Celestron 8" with f/6.3 focal reducer on a Losmandy G-11 using an SBIG ST-7 non-E non-ABG -30C CFW-8
	Object Details Common Name: Triangulum Galaxy Catalog Designation: NGC891 Constellation: Andromeda Visual Magnitude: 9.9 Angular Size: 13.5' x2.8' Distance from Earth: 30 million light years Right Ascension: 2h 22' 47" Declination: +42° 21' 55"

Nebulae

	Photograph Details A single 30 minute exposure, guided by SBIG ST-7 through a C-8 at f/6.3. Standard development. The negative was scanned by an Olympus ES-10 then saved for the web. The bright blue flare is from Deneb's light falling into the optics. September 2001 Equipment: Takahashi FSQ-106n f/5 on a Losmandy G-11 using an OM-1n and Kodak Royal Gold Film ISO 400.
	Object Details Common Name: The North American Nebula Catalog Designation: NGC7000 Constellation: Cygnus Angular Size: 2.0° x 1.7° Right Ascension: 20h 58' 52" Declination: 44° 20' 27"

	Photograph Details This is an RGB color composite image. Red: 10 minutes Green: 10 minutes Blue: 24 minutes Equipment: Takahashi CN-212 f/3.5 Newtonian Mode on a Losmandy G-11 using an SBIG ST-7 non-E non-ABG
	Object Details Common Name: The Veil Nebula Catalog Designation: NGC6992 Constellation: Cygnus Angular Size: 60' x 8' Right Ascension: 20h 56' 33" Declination: +31° 43' 32"

	Photograph Details An LRGB composite image using SBIG color filter wheel. Luminance: 60 minutes Red: 10 minutes Green: 10 minutes Blue: 24 minutes Self guided. A dark frame was subtracted from each image. February 9, 2002. Equipment: Takahashi FSQ-106n f/5 on a Losmandy G-11 using and SBIG ST-7 CCD Non-E Non-ABG CFW-8 Filter Wheel
	Object Details Common Name: The Horsehead Nebula Catalog Designation: Barnard 33 Constellation: Orion Right Ascension: 05h 41' 03" Declination: -2° 27' 48"

Star Clusters

	Photograph Details A 1 minute integration. Dark frame subtracted, and linear stretch performed. Equipment: Takahashi CN-212 Newtonian Mode on a Losmandy G-11 using an SBIG ST-7 non-E non-ABG -15C
	Object Details Catalog Designation: M3 Visual Magnitude: 6.35 Distance from Earth: 32,000 light years Angular Size: 16.2' Constellation: Canes Venatici Right Ascension: 13h 42' 22" Declination: +28° 22' 08"

The Pleaides as imaged by John Blackwell

Photograph Details

This was an experiment to see how the the MX-5c could be used in Fastar mode and to use a Short Tube 80mm scope as a guidescope with the ST-4. An addition of two 5 minute integrations. Internal reflections within the scope account for the odd shapes towards the bottom of the image. Guided with an ST4 through an attached Short Tube 80mm scope.

Equipment: Celestron 8" at f/1.95 in Fastar mode on a Losmandy G-11 with an MX-5c Color CCD

Object Details

Common Name: The Pleiades Star Cluster
Catalog Designation: M45
Visual Magnitude: 1.2
Distance from Earth: 407 light years
Constellation: Taurus
Angular Size: 1.8°
Right Ascension: 03h 47' 10"
Declination: +24° 07' 36"

	Photograph Details This was a single one minute integration. Equipment: Takahashi FSQ-106n on a Losmandy G11 using an SBIG ST-7
	Object Details Common Name: The Wild Duck Cluster Catalog Designation: M11 Visual Magnitude: 5.8 Distance from Earth: 5600 light years Constellation: Scutum Angular Size: 14' Right Ascension: 18h 51' 17" Declination: -06° 15' 51"

If you'd like to see more GREAT images be sure to checkout John Blackwell's website at: http://www.regulusastro.com/regulus/photos/index.html