 |
The Details |
|
Object |
M87 and Jet in Virgo |
Optics |
Meade 16" LX1200 at f/10
|
Platform |
Meade LX 200 Mount |
Camera |
SBIG ST-8XE and AO-7 Adaptive Optics Unit |
Filters |
SBIG LRGB filter set |
Date |
03 June 2003 |
Location |
Mount Wilson Observatory, Mount Wilson CA |
Exposure |
L 9 x 300 sec 1x1 bin |
Software |
Maxim DL/CCD, Photoshop |
| Orientation | Field of view: 25'45"' x 19'45" centered on RA 12h31m07s DEC 12°20'33". North angle 236.2°; east 90° CW from north |
| Notes | The giant elliptical galaxy M87 in Virgo is about 60 million light years from earth and spans a diameter of nearly 120,000 light years. Discovered by Lick Observatory astronomer H.D. Curtis in 1918, a strange jet of material was seen to be emanating from the core of the galaxy. The popular hypothesis today is that this jet is produced by matter being pulled into a spinning, 2-3 billion solar mass black hole at the galaxy's core. The jet can be seen in the above image extending outward from the core at a 4 o'clock position. |
Home | Image Gallery | Equipment | Observing Sites | About Dave | Links | Contact Me
Site and content copyright ©2004 David M. Jurasevich. All rights reserved.
No reproduction of these images are permitted without prior approval of the author.