Date: 1/15/2012
Description: Messier 77 (also known as NGC 1068) is a barred spiral galaxy about 47 million light-years away in the constellation Cetus. Messier 77 is an active galaxy with an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN), which is obscured from view by astronomical dust at visible wavelengths. Messier 77's diameter is 170,000 light-years. The diameter of the molecular disk and hot plasma associated with the obscuring material was first measured at radio wavelengths by the VLBA and VLA. It is the brightest] Seyfert galaxy and is of type 2. [Ref; Wikipedia].
Sky Conditions:
Clear sky, windy conditions (10 mph gusts)
FWHM: 2.5 - 3.5 arc sec/pixel
Imaging:
Exposure: 72 min (12 x 6min) at 2x2 bin using CLS Filter
Guiding: 5 sec at 1x1 bin
Equipment:
SBIG ST2000 Color CCD
AT10RC at F8
Starlight Focuser & Multiport
Guide-scope (475mm) w/starfish guider
AP1200 mount
SW:
Maxim DL V5, FocusMax, CCD-autopilot V4, Robofocus, Neat noise reduction, AP ASCOM V2, SkyX
Photoshop CS4 (using Astro-Tools, sky pollution removal)