NGC4565 Needle Galaxy

NGC 4565 is a giant spiral galaxy more luminous than the Andromeda Galaxy and it has been proposed that if it were viewed face-on, it would be the most spectacular of the galaxies of its type in the nearby Universe.

 

Much speculation exists in the literature as to the nature of the central bulge. In the absence of clear-cut dynamical data on the motions of stars in the bulge, the photometric data alone cannot adjudge among various options put forth. However, its exponential shape suggested that it is a barred spiral galaxy. Subsequent studies with the help of the Spitzer Space Telescope not only confirmed the presence of a central bar but also showed a pseudobulge within it as well as an inner ring. NGC 4565 has at least two companion galaxies, one of which is interacting with it. It has a population of roughly 240 globular clusters, more than the Milky Way. (Wikipedia).

 

First complete image taken from London.

 

LRGB image: 28-29/4/16

Chiswick, London, UK

Over 4 Hours Total Combined Exposure

Bin1x1 16x600s L, 3x600s R, 3x600s G, 3x600s B

 

Equipment:

T: Takahashi FSQ106ED @ f/5, extender-q 1.6x (f/5->f/8)

C: QSI683ws Mono CCD, Astronomik Filters

M: Celestron Advanced Vx

G: QHY5-II

 

Acquisition and Processing:

PHD2, Sequence Generator Pro, CCDStack, Photoshop CS6

Done