M99

Click on image for larger version.


 M99 is one of many spiral galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, resides on the outskirts of this collection of many thousand galaxies. Unlike our own galaxy, M99 is disturbed due to interactions with other massive galaxies nearby (not shown). It almost looks as if the spiral arms are being blown by some celestial wind from below. While this is not true, at a distance of 60 million light years this galaxy proudly displays bright blue and red star formation in the its spiral arms.

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 = 75 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 15 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 15 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 15 minutes binned 2x2
  • Digital Development (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: 03/14/04