🌌 Object Information

• Name/Designation: Markarian’s Chain (Part of the Virgo Cluster)

• Object Type: Galaxy Group

• Constellation: Virgo

• Distance from Earth: ~50–60 million light-years

• Apparent Magnitude: Varies by galaxy (brightest: ~9.3)

• Angular Size: ~1.5° (entire chain)

📅 Imaging Info

• Date: April 28 & 29, May 1 & 2, 2024

• Location: Athens, Greece

• Frames: 398 × 60″ exposures (6h 38m)

• Camera Settings: Gain 101 | Temperature: 0 °C

• Bortle Scale: 8/9 (city sky)

🔭 Equipment & Guiding

• Imaging Telescope: Sky-Watcher Explorer 130PDS

• Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro

• Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ5 Pro

• Filter: Baader UV/IR Cut Luminance 2″

• Accessory: Baader 2″ MPCC Mark III Newton Coma Corrector

• Guide Scope: Artesky 32mm Mini Guide Scope

• Guide Camera: ZWO ASI120MM Mini

🛠️ Software

• Astro Photography Tool (APT)

• PHD2 Guiding

• PixInsight

• BlurXTerminator

• NoiseXTerminator