Messier 94 (2025)

This is my latest version of the gorgeous face-on spiral ring galaxy Messier 94 approximately 15 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. Seyfert galaxies are a class of active galaxies with lots of star formation and also known as starburst galaxies. M94, also known as NGC 4736, is about 35,000 LY across, however, the bright nucleus, inner dust lanes, and inner ring is much smaller. It has been suggested that the outer ring formed as a result of a M94 incorporating a companion galaxy into it. The dust lanes are much more prominent on the bottom side possibly because that side is closer to us.  

This version shows much better detail than my other version from 2017. It is quite interesting how the core starts off as a brilliant yellow and then transitions to a bright blue  moving towards the inner ring. The faint outer ring as a slight blue cast to it indicated possible star formation. I did not do much star reduction as I really enjoy the colorful starfield. In addition, the numerous small odd-shaped blips in the field of view are galaxies much further away.  

Higher Quality:
https://www.astrobin.com/nkgikf/?nc=collection&nce=712

Messier 94 (2025)
Dates: 4-27-25, 4-28, 4-30
Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM-Pro
Telescope: Astro-Tech AT115EDT 115mm Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 805mm (644mm w/ FR)
f/7
Focal Reducer: 0.8x AstroTech Field Flatterner/Focal Reducer
Mount: Orion Sirius
Filter Wheel: ZWO
EFW 8 x 1.25"
Filter: ZWO R, G, B, L
Focuser: ZWO EAF
Autoguiding: ASI120 Mini attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope/ZWO 60mm Guidescope
Exposure: L 269 x 90, R 62 x 90, G 57 x 90, B 62 x 90 (11h 43m)
Gain: 139
Offset 20
Sensor Temp: -10 C
Processing: NINA, PixInsight, Photoshop, BlurXTerminator, StarXTerminator, NoiseXTerminator, GraXpert, Bill Blanshan Stretching, Topaz Denoise.

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NGC 3344 (2025)

This is my first image of NGC 3344, a breathtaking face-on spiral galaxy approximately 25 million light-years away in the constellation Leo Minor (just above Leo). This galaxy is surrounded by a plethora of other odd shaped galaxies much further away and is a member of the Virgo Supercluster.

NGC 3344 has an outer ring showing impressive structure and star forming regions radiating outward from a slightly elongated inner ring or bar in the center. The central region of the galaxy is filled with young hot stars due to active star formation.

Dates: 4-1-25, 4-13, 4-15, 4-20, 4-23, 4-24 

Higher Quality:

https://www.astrobin.com/icdhvq/?nc=collection&nce=712

NGC 3344 (2025)
Dates: 4-1-25, 4-13, 4-15, 4-20, 4-23, 4-24 
Camera: ZWO ASI294MC Pro
Telescope: Celestron EdgeHD 800
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 2032mm (native)
F/10 (native)
Focal Reducer: None
Mount: Orion Atlas Pro
Filter Adaptor: ZWO Filter Drawer
Filter: Optolong Luminosity (2-inch)
Focuser: ZWO EAF
Autoguiding: Askar M54 OAG/ZWO ASI174 mini
Exposure: Lum 274 x 90 (6h 51m)
Gain: 139
Offset 0
Temp: -10 C
Processing: Asiair app, PixInsight, Photoshop, BlurXT, NoiseXT, StarX, Bill's Color Masks, Bill's Stretching, GraXpert, Topaz Denoise

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http://astroquest1.blogspot.com/
https://www.astrobin.com/users/kurtzepp/collections/
http://youtube.com/AstroQuest1

NGC 2841 (2025)

This is my version of NGC 2841, a flocculent spiral galaxy located about 50 million light years away in the constellation of Ursa Major. Flocculent refers to a type of spiral galaxy whose arms are puffy and discontinuous. The diameter has been estimated to be between 100,000 and 150,000 light-years in the constellation of Ursa Major making it larger than our own Milky Way. I like how it turned out, especially the dust lanes and flocculent nature of NGC 2841. Another surprise was the rich field full of other galaxies much further away.

Higher Quality:

https://www.astrobin.com/zax9ti/?nc=collection&nce=712

NGC 2841 (2025)

Dates: 3-27-25, 4-1, 4-9, 4-13, 4-15, 4-20, 4-23, 4-24
Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM-Pro
Telescope: Astro-Tech AT115EDT 115mm Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 805mm (644mm w/ FR)
f/7
Focal Reducer: 0.8x AstroTech Field Flatterner/Focal Reducer
Mount: Orion Sirius
Filter Wheel: ZWO
EFW 8 x 1.25"
Filter: ZWO R, G, B, L
Focuser: ZWO EAF
Autoguiding: ASI120 Mini attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope/ZWO 60mm Guidescope
Exposure: L 158 x 90, R 85 x 90, G 79 x 90, B 81 x 90 (10h 4')
Gain: 139
Offset 20
Sensor Temp: -10 C
Processing: NINA, PixInsight, Photoshop, BlurXTerminator, StarXTerminator, NoiseXTerminator, GraXpert, Bill Blanshan Stretching, Topaz Denoise.

https://www.instagram.com/astroquest1/
http://astroquest1.blogspot.com/
https://www.astrobin.com/users/kurtzepp/collections/
http://youtube.com/AstroQuest1