M106

Messier 106 (a.k.a. M106 or NGC 4258) is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici.
The galaxy is about 22 to 25 million light-years away from Earth.  The presence of x-rays and unusual emission lines indicate that part of the galaxy maybe falling into a supermassive black hole in the center of the galaxy.  Also interesting is the presence of dense and warm molecular gas composed of water vapor which give M106 its characteristic purple color (source: wikipedia).

I had a few very clear nights last week, although it was very cold (well below freezing), and was able to capture several Messier Objects around the Big Dipper.  My yard (and astronomy shed) does not have a full view of the sky except facing south so I have windows of opportunity to catch objects.

The marks 61 Messier objects captured do date only 49 to go. Pics can be found on my website at: https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/.

Crop

Wide Field

M106
Location: Happy Frog Observatory, Monroe, CT
Date: 3-19-17
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i(a), Backyard EOS
Telescope: Orion ED80 80mm
f/7.5 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 600mm
f/7.5
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G GoTo Telescope Mount
Filter: Astrodon UV/IR
Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure: 33 x 90s (49.5 min)
ISO: 1600
Temp: 0 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom, Gradient Exterminator, Astronomy Tools.