M95 in Leo

Here we have a look at M95, even on a 14.5" scope this is quite a small (barred spiral) galaxy ~38Mly away. Despite the challenge, I think it is a nice example of a SB(r)b galaxy and some nice details are showing.

In order to realise the detail and keep to a decent size image I had to first ensure the scale of the image was sufficient to work out through drizzling all the data. Once complete I was able gently, through many iterations release the detail that was present. This is certainly a good example of many smaller iterations of process applications having more impact than a few larger ones. Hope you enjoy.

 

For the pixel peepers out there is a strange blue star towards the bottom of the image - I wondered what I had done wrong . Having reviewed this is actually correct and not an aberration, It is SDSS J104429.50+113042.0 an RR lyrae variable star - the SDSS data shows this to be the correct colour.......

 

HD: www.astrobin.com/332667/0/?nc=user

Crop: www.astrobin.com/332667/B/?nc=user

 

Imaging telescope or lens: RCOS 14.5"

Imaging camera: SBIG STX KAF-16803

Mount: Paramount-ME

Filters: Astrodon Red, Astrodon Green, Astrodon Blue, Astrodon Luminance

Resolution: 7044x6153

Dates: Jan. 14, 2018, Jan. 15, 2018, Jan. 17, 2018, Jan. 24, 2018

Frames:

Astrodon Blue: 17x1200" bin 1x1

Astrodon Green: 16x1200" bin 1x1

Astrodon Luminance: 20x1200" bin 1x1

Astrodon Red: 18x1200" bin 1x1

Integration: 23.7 hours

Locations: Deep Sky West Remote Observatory (DSW), Rowe, New Mexico, United States

Done