M83

Click on image for larger version.

This face-on spiral galaxy is often called the Southern Pinwheel. It has two major arms (and a third fainter one) which present the countanance of this barred spiral. This galaxy is the birthplace of massive stars. In the past 80 years there are been 4 observations of these large stars blowing up (supernovae). This is 10 times the expected rate of such events- and to this day a topic of current research and uncertainty.

Equipment

Meade 16in LX200 telescope operating at f/6.3
SBIG ST8E CCD camera with color filter wheel

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

Luminance = 79 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 27 minutes binned 3x3
 Green = 27 minutes binned 3x3
 Blue = 54 minutes binned 3x3
  • Two iterations of L-R deconvolution (sharpening) algorithm using CCDsharp were applied to the luminance image.

  • This is combination of two data sets taken on different nights. To see the color image from the "old" data set Click HERE.
  • Due to the southern declination of this object, the focus unit flexes causing the chip to be askew with the focal plane. This prevents me from being able to focus everything on the chip.
  • Digital Developement (DDP) via Maxim/DL was also used in order to display the the very dim and very bright details of the image simultaneously.

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

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    Updated: 3/24/2001