March 1, 2023

M65 (Spring 2021)


M65 is a favorite to observe and to image.  I saw the galaxy a few nights ago from my backyard with a 6" telescope at 120x.  It's thrilling to see light that has traveled 35 million light years, or so, and realize it hits my own retina.

Here is an earlier image with a 10" reflector:

https://polarisb.blogspot.com/2012/02/m65-ngc3623-feb-25-2012.html

And another in 2019 with an 8" reflector:

https://polarisb.blogspot.com/2019/04/m65-sprin-2019.html

This latest image is from very fine AG Optical data: 22 x 300 each of RGB and 81 x 300 of Lum.  It's better data than I've used in the past, and it's better color.

2 comments:

Jasmine said...

This is incredible. I hope the weather permits so we can see some planets align on March 28th.

Polaris B said...

Thanks, Jasmine! I try to see the planets every time I am out.