astropics.co.uk

Astrophotography by Eddie Guscott

NGC6946 - The Fireworks Galaxy

In the Milky Way constellation of Cepheus, this face on galaxy's core appears yellowy/gold due to the intervening dust from our own Milky Way. Sometimes referred to as the 'Fireworks Galaxy' because a lot of supernovae have been seen here.

Date/Location:	Corringham 5 nights during July 2008
Equipment:	8" f/5 Newtonian
Camera/Exposure:	ST2000XM CCD camera with Astrodon filters LRGB image with exposures totalling nearly ten hours. All in 5 min subs.

Notes:	Lost a lot of sub exposures due loss of guide star, aeroplanes through FOV, cloud and a bright Moon towards the end of the exposure sets. I am finally pleased with a version of this dim but beautiful galaxy.

Click here or on image for a larger (450Kb) view

Date/Location:	Equinox Star Party, Kelling Heath 19-20 Sep 2006
Equipment:	5" f/6 TMB Refractor on AP900 mount
Camera/Exposure:	ST2000XM CCD camera with Astrodon filters LRGB = 90/40/40/40 minutes in 10 minute subs all binned 1x1

Notes:	Poor seeing during some of the exposures but a much better image than the one from 3 years earlier (below)

Date/Location:	Corringham July 2003
Equipment:	6" F9 Apo Refractor on AP900 mount
Camera/Exposure:	HX916/TTL Filter Wheel - LRGB 40/20/20/25

Notes:	High cloud reduced ability to obtain fine detail

This website will be constantly updated

Any reproduction, publication, transmission or any other use is prohibited without the written consent of the author.

Please let me know your comments by contacting me at: eddieguscott@astropics.co.uk