NGC 4449

Click on image for larger version.

This irregular dwarf galaxy is part of the Canes Venaticorum group of galaxies some 12 million light years away. This galaxy is very similar to our own LMC (Large Magellanic Cloud) in both structure and size. The central part of the galaxy consists of a population of very young stars which extend through the galaxy in a bar formation. Astronomers estimate that these stars are not much older than 5 million years in age. The numerous red regions are the HII regions that are currently forming stars. Massive dark clouds of gas and dust (dark blobs in picture) await future episodes of star formation. Chains of blue outline the baby-boom of stars in this galaxy.

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
  • One iteration of L-R deconvolution (sharpening) algorithm using CCDsharp was 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: John and Christie Connors/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 06/12/2004