Messier 106 & Friends

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🌌 Object Information

  • Name/Designation: Messier 106 (NGC 4258) and Surrounding Galaxies

  • Object Type: Spiral Galaxy Group

  • Constellation: Canes Venatici

  • Distance from Earth:
     Messier 106 & NGC 4248: ~22–23 million light-years
        Background galaxies: ~60+ million light- years

  • Apparent Magnitude: Messier 106: ~8.4

  • Angular Size: ~18 arcminutes

📅 Imaging Info

  • Date: May 19 & 23, 2023

  • Location: Athens, Greece
  • Frames: 258 × 60″ exposures (4h 18m)

  • Camera Settings: Gain 101 | Temperature: -5 °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

  • StarXTerminator