IC 10

Click on image for larger version.

IC 10 would be a much more well known object were it not for the dimming clouds of gas and dust in our own galaxy. At 3 degrees south of the galactic plane, we look towards this member of the Local Group of Galaxies through an outer spiral arm of our Milky Way. This galaxy is a well-studied object because it is the nearest starburst galaxy to us. Most interesting are the sheer number of luminous stars (especially Wolf-Rayet stars) and starforming regions. Astronomers are currently trying to understand why an irregular galaxy like this is forming as many luminous stars as it does- given the amount of material it has as well as many other factors. IC 10 is around 4.5 million light years away

Equipment

20in RC Optical Systems telescope Operating at f/8.4
Paramount ME Robotic Telescope Mount
SBIG ST10XME CCD camera with color filter wheel

L R G B color production was used to create this image.

Luminance = 105 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 20 minutes binned 2x2
  • Two iterations of L-R deconvolution (sharpening) algorithm using CCDsharp were applied to the luminance image.
  • %50 Moon in the sky.

    • Minimum credit line: Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

    RETURN to the GALAXIES page.

    BACK to main Best of AOP page.

    Would you like to take images like this? Click here.

    [NOAO logo] Return to NOAO Home Page

    Updated: 09/19/2003