NGC 3953

Click on image for larger version.


 Like its more well-known neighbor M109, this galaxy is a surprising copy-cat barred spiral galaxy. Slightly more inclined and with tightly wound arms NGC 3953 is a seemingly more spirited galaxy 46 million light years away. In 2001 astronomers discovered a supernova in this galaxy. Also note the bright background galaxies near the top of the image and bottom right.

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 = 120 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.

  • 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: Tom and Gail Haynes/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 03/12/2005