Celestial Objects

Click on links to view larger images of each picture

In July, 1997, sixteen Agents went to McDonald Observatory of the University of Texas at Austin and used the 30-inch telescope with Prime Focus Camera to take images. Some of these images can be viewed through the following links:

M33 an Sc Galaxy in Triangulum

In order to produce a color image, images were taken on the camera in three different wavelength regions: R (red) for 30 seconds, V (visual -- the peak wavelength is in the green region) for 45 seconds, and B (blue) for 90 seconds. Each image is 1212 by 1440 pixels; this translates into an image size of 27.3' by 32.5' of arc. Adding the three images together produces the color image as illustrated. Note that in the blue image, the young star forming regions are very distinctive in the spiral arms.

M33 in Red

M33 in Visual

M33 in Blue

M 20 The Trifid Nebula

This image of M20 is a combination of a 60 second exposure in B, 40 seconds in V, and 10 seconds in Red. The image size is 1240 by 1221 pixels. This translates into about 28' by 27.5' of arc on the sky.

M17 The Omega or Horseshoe Nebula

This image of M17 is a combination of a 90 second exposure in B, 43 seconds in V, and 30 seconds in Red. The image size is 1212 by 1400 pixels.  This translates into about 27.3' by 32.5' of arc on the sky.

M51 The Whirlpool Galaxy

This image of M51is a combination of a 30 second exposure in B, 20 seconds in V, and 10 seconds in Red. The image size is 521 by 810 pixels.  This translates into about 11.8' by 18' of arc on the sky.

 

M31 eastern portion of Andromeda Galaxy

This image of a portion of the Andromeda Galaxy is a combination of a 180 second exposure in B, 100 seconds in V, and 60 seconds in Red. The image size is 2046 by 2046 pixels.  This translates into about 46.2' by 46.2' of arc on the sky.

M31 and M32 western portion of Andromeda Galaxy and its companion galaxy

This image is also  combination of a 180 second exposure in B, 100 seconds in V, and 60 seconds in Red. The image size is 2046 by 2046 pixels.  This translates into about 46.2' by 46.2' of arc on the sky.

In addition, there are several more images and additional information on Lara Eakin's webpage.

 AAS Home Page | AASTRA

 

Send Comments to:
AASTRAaas@astro.as.utexas.edu Last Modified: 14 January 1999