JLT Observatory - Hydrogen Alpha Images Page

Telescope: Orion Premium 110mm Refractor f/7 Mount: Atlas EQ-G Camera: QSI 583wsg with Astrodon Filters Gen II Guiding Camera: Orion Autoguider Using PHD Processed using CCDStack, PhotoShop CS3 and Astronomy Tools Acquisition: Maxim DL/The Sky 6/MaxPoint Designation: M51 or Whirlpool Galaxy Constellation: Canes Venatici Distance: Approx 23 million light-years Type: spiral galaxy Date: August 1st, 2010 Location: Deerlick Astronomy Village The Whirlpool Galaxy (also known as Messier 51, or NGC 5194) is an interacting grand-design spiral galaxy located at a distance of approximately 23 million light-years in the constellation Canes Venatici. It is one of the most famous galaxies in the sky. The galaxy and its companion (NGC 5195) are easily observed by amateur astronomers, and the two galaxies may even be seen with binoculars. The Whirlpool Galaxy is also a popular target for professional astronomers, who study it to further understanding of galaxy structure (particularly structure associated with the spiral arms) and galaxy interactions Courtesy of Wikipedia:

Courtesy of Wikipedia: Messier 81 (also known as NGC 3031 or Bode's Galaxy) is a spiral galaxy about 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. M81 is one of the most striking examples of a grand design spiral galaxy, with near perfect arms spiraling into the very center. Because of its proximity to Earth, its large size, and its active galactic nucleus (which harbors a 70 million solar mass [8] supermassive black hole) Messier 81 is a popular galaxy to study in professional astronomy research. The galaxy's large size and relatively low apparent magnitude (lower magnitude implies higher brightness) also make it a popular target for amateur astronomy observations. Telescope: Orion Premium 110mm Refractor f/7 Mount: Atlas EQ-G Camera: QSI 583wsg with Astrodon Filters Gen II Guiding Camera: Orion Autoguider Using PHD Processed using CCDStack, PhotoShop CS3 and Astronomy Tools Acquisition: Maxim DL/The Sky 6/MaxPoint Designation: M81 or Bode's Galaxy Constellation: Ursa Major Distance: Approx 12 million light-years Type: spiral galaxy Date: February 5th, 2010 Location: Deerlick Astronomy Village

Courtesy of Wikipedia: The Horsehead Nebula (also known as Barnard 33 in bright nebula IC 434) is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion. The nebula is located just below Alnitak, the star farthest left on Orion's Belt, and is part of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. It is approximately 1500 light years from Earth. It is one of the most identifiable nebulae because of the shape of its swirling cloud of dark dust and gases, which is similar to that of a horse's head. Telescope: Orion Premium 110mm Refractor f/7 Mount: Atlas EQ-G Camera: QSI 583wsg with Astrodon Filters Gen II Guiding Camera: Orion Autoguider Using PHD Processed using CCDStack, PhotoShop CS3 and Astronomy Tools Acquisition: Maxim DL/The Sky 6/MaxPoint Designation: Horsehead or Barnard 33 Constellation: Orion Distance: Approx 1500 light years Type: dark nebula/diffuse nebulae Date: January 18th, 2010 Location: Deerlick Astronomy Village