NGC 7814

Click on image for larger version.

This fantastic edge-on spiral galaxy in Pegasus proves to be an interesting object when displayed in the way shown. First, the plane of the galaxy is slightly warped and twisted. NGC 7814 is one of a few bright galaxies that shows this feature in optical wavelengths. Second the number of background galaxies in this direction is impressive. Besides being pretty, these far off beacons have been used by astronomers to try to determine the amount of gas and dust in the halo of NGC 7814. As the light of background galaxies passes through the foreground halo of NGC 7814 it becomes dimmer (redder). Finally, be certain to note the very slight deviation from being truly edge-on. The background dustlanes can be seen "above" and through the halo giving this galaxy more depth than is usually displayed.

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
  • The AO-7 was used to acquire this image.
  • 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: Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 09/22/2003