Markarian's Chain
Markarian's Chain (Labeled)
Markarian's Chain is an interesting cluster of galaxies named after it's discoverer - an Armenian astronomer named B. E. Markarian although Charles Messier first cataloged the two large lenticular galaxies that are near the center and just to the right of center of the frame (M86 & M84). The two Messier galaxies are the only ones that are easily visible in small scopes, except perhaps under extremely dark skies. This "chain" of galaxies is part of the larger Virgo cluster of galaxies.
Object Data:
Constellation: Virgo
Distance: approx 60 million light years Size: (arc min)
Apparent Magnitude(s): M84 9.3 6.5x5.6
M86 9.19 8.9x5.8
NGC 4387 12.0 1.7x1.1
NGC 4388 11.0 5.6x1.5
NGC 4402 11.7 3.9x1.1
NGC 4413 13.0 2.3x1.4
NGC 4425 11.9 2.8x1.0
NGC 4435 10.9 3.0x2.2
NGC 4438 10.1 8.5x3.0
Details:
Imaged on 3/25/2006 at 2:09 AM Central Time from Fordland, MO
Equipment:
Camera: Canon 300D (unmodified)
at Prime Focus
Imaging Scope: 8" F4.9 Orion Newt
Guide Scope: 120mm F5.0 Orion Refractor
Guiding: GuideDog software and SAC-7b camera and TechnoPlus LX200 emulator
Mount: Losmandy CG-11
Image Information:Imaging Scope: 8" F4.9 Orion Newt
Guide Scope: 120mm F5.0 Orion Refractor
Guiding: GuideDog software and SAC-7b camera and TechnoPlus LX200 emulator
Mount: Losmandy CG-11
18 Frames, 10 Minutes each @ ISO 800 +
Avg of 6 Darks
No flat or bias frames
Captured with DSLR Control
Focused and Processed with Images Plus 2.5
No flat or bias frames
Captured with DSLR Control
Focused and Processed with Images Plus 2.5