NGC 255

Click on image for larger version.

NGC 255 is a fairly small barred spiral galaxy around 70 million light years away. Many HII regions and blue starforming regions adorn its spiral arms near the nucleus. If you dim the lights in your room, you may be able to see the exceedingly dim outer arms of this galaxy. Also note the assortment of background galaxies (especially the upper left of the image). Less than 1/2 degree away is a more famous object- the PN NGC 246.

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 = 90 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 20 minutes binned 2x2
  • One iteration of L-R deconvolution (sharpening) algorithm using CCDsharp wasapplied to the luminance image.

  • 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.

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

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    Updated: 9/30/2003