Observation Log - May 27, 2000 - Tinton Falls, NJ

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NGC6946, a spiral galaxy in Cygnus, magnitude 8.8, diameter 14'. This is a composite image created from 27 images of 2 minutes each for a total integration time of 54 minutes. Images were taken between 03:16 a.m. and 04:28 a.m. the morning of the 27th. Images were all taken using the f/6.3 focal reducer, for an effective f/ratio of f/4. Images were processed with dark frame removal, flat frame, then compositing, and finally a contrast stretch.

Abell 2199, a galaxy cluster in Hercules. This is a mosaic made from two composite images showing the northern portion of this galaxy cluster. I used 37 images of 2 minutes each for the northern half of this image, and 18 images of 2 minutes each for the southern half. The uneven exposure times led to a large amount of grain in the final composite. Images were taken between 12:33 am and 02:45 am the morning of the 27th. Images were all taken using the f/6.3 focal reducer, for an effective f/ratio of f/4. Images were processed with dark frame removal, flat frame, then compositing, flatten background, then mosaic creation and finally a contrast stretch. This image shows literally dozens of faint little galaxies strewn across the field.

NGC5248, a spiral galaxy in Bootes, magnitude 10.3, dimensions 6'.8 x 5'.0. This is a composite image combining two nights of photography. I used 34 images of 2 minutes each taken on 05/10/00 (12:09 am - 01:26 am) plus 34 images of 2 minutes each taken on 05/26/00 (10:09 pm - 11:22 pm.) Thus the total integration time was 136 minutes. Images were all taken using the f/6.3 focal reducer, for an effective f/ratio of f/4. Images were processed with dark frame removal, flat frame, then compositing, flatten background, unsharp masking (FFT, low-pass, hard) and finally a contrast stretch.