Into Spring

Spring has arrived, so I've decided to get a jump on galaxy season. One non-galaxy target, overlooked by me in the past, is the gaseous nebula NGC2174. It was during an earlier open cluster imaging night that I noticed its nebulosity while imaging its associated open cluster NGC2175. Imaging wasn't under the best conditions, the heavily light polluted count of Frederick, MD, so I'll likely revisit NGC2174 in the future. It appears below along with five galaxies. All imaging was done at F/4 with a Starizona Night Owl focal reducer/corrector. Am, I glad I acquired this accessory before the SARS Covid-2 pandemic as it's been out of stock for months.  NGC2174 and NGC2175 were averaged from 60s sub frames. The galaxies were averaged  from 120s sub frames.

NGC2174 (gaseous nebula) and NGC2175 (open cluster)

M94 (galaxy)

M106 (galaxy)

M109 (galaxy)

NGC2403 (galaxy)

NGC2841(galaxy)

M81, M82, M51, NGC2841

It's Spring and with Coma Berenices with its accompanying cluster of galaxies it's the beginning of galaxy season. I thought I would get a head start  practicing on with three of my favorite galaxies M81, M82 and M51. NGC2841 is thrown in as a bonus. These won't be my only  visits to these non-Coma Berenices targets as they grace my northern hemisphere zenith during the next month or so. The Coma cluster requires I get out of heavily light polluted Frederick Maryland  to one of my darkish sites and when the galaxies are highest in the southern sky. 

Sadly, as I write this, the world is in the midst of a crippling, deadly pandemic due to the covid-19 corona virus. The effects on public health and the world economy are still to be played out. I'm fortunate, a lifelong saver/investor to be in a decent financial position despite taking a hit in the stock market. I can also be grateful for a mind engaging hobby, this one, to distract me from the current goings on. Folks, follow the experts, hand washing, social distancing, staying at home if you can. We're in for pain but will get through this. 

M81 -- 15x120s @bin1

M82 -- 15x180s @bin1

M51 -- 12x180s @bin1

NGC2481 -- 10x180s @bin1