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3towers Observatory Messier Objects

The following tables show both black & white and color images of the Messier Objects obtained at the 3towers Observatory. Contrast the images from this suburban/urban observatory using a 12-inch telescope in light polluted skies with images of the same objects taken at the Grasslands Observatory, which contains a 24-inch telescope at a superb dark sky site. What is apparent is how well modest equipment can perform.

The black and white images were obtained with either an Apogee KX260 or an Apogee AP7 CCD camera. They range from single 30 second exposures to images made by combining up to 20 ninety second exposures. The color images consist of separate exposures through Photometeric Red (R), Green (V), and Blue (B) filters using an Isis FW1 filter wheel. For a detailed general discussion of color imaging, see Tri-Color Imaging in the Grasslands Observatory Image Gallery. All images are oriented with the North at the top and the West to the right.
Table of Messier Objects

I. Messier 1-24 | II. Messier 25-48 | III. Messier 49-73 | IV. Messier 74-110
Messier Object Other Name(s) Type of Object Black & White Image Color Image
49 NGC4472; Arp134 Galaxy m49.jpg (32927 bytes) m49color.jpg (29233 bytes)
50 NGC2323 Galactic (0pen) Cluster m50.jpg (45782 bytes) m50color.jpg (36865 bytes)
51 NGC5194(and NGC5195); The Whirlpool Galaxy Spiral Galaxy m51.jpg (22750 bytes)
This image is a composite of five 60sec exposures through a clear filter combined with 60sec exposures through red, green (V), and blue filters.

m51color.jpg (18566 bytes)
This is a wide angle image obtained using an f/3.3 focal reducer.
52 NGC7654 Galactic (0pen) Cluster m52.jpg (41578 bytes)  
53 NGC5024 Globular Cluster m53.jpg (20986 bytes)  
54 NGC6715 Globular Cluster m54.jpg (42019 bytes)  
55 NGC6809 Globular Cluster m55.jpg (38002 bytes)
56 NGC6779 Globular Cluster m56.jpg (28015 bytes)
57 NGC6720; The Ring Nebula Planetary Nebula m57.jpg (25004 bytes) m57color.jpg (26697 bytes)
58 NGC4579 Galaxy m58.jpg (26243 bytes) m58color.jpg (30243 bytes)
59 NGC4621 Galaxy m59.jpg (27471 bytes)  
60 NGC4649; Arp116 Galaxy m60.JPG (48263 bytes) m60color.jpg (40105 bytes)
61 NGC4303 Galaxy m61.jpg (38113 bytes) m61color.jpg (48598 bytes)
62 NGC6266 Globular Cluster m62.jpg (35750 bytes)
63 NGC5055 Galaxy m63.jpg (25934 bytes) m63color.jpg (42088 bytes)
64 NGC4826; The Black-eye Galaxy Galaxy m64.jpg (22536 bytes) m64color.jpg (25957 bytes)
65 NGC3623; Member of Leo Triplet of M65, M66, and NGC3628 Galaxy m65.jpg (13054 bytes) m65color.jpg (36606 bytes)
66 NGC3627; Member of Leo Triplet of M65, M66, and NGC3628 Galaxy m66.jpg (19989 bytes) m66color.jpg (21728 bytes)
M66

ngc3628color.jpg (22774 bytes)
NGC3628
67 NGC2682 Galactic (0pen) Cluster m67.jpg (38766 bytes)  
68 NGC4590 Globular Cluster   m68color.jpg (48373 bytes)
m68ir.jpg (34415 bytes)
Notice the red star ( a variable star FI Hydrae) lying northeast of M68 (up and to the left). The image on the left is a standard tri-color CCD image with photometric R, V, and B filters. The image on the right has the I (near infrared) filter substituted for the R filter. Note how bright the star is in the infrared.
69 NGC6637 Globular Cluster m69.jpg (45337 bytes)  
70 NGC6681 Globular Cluster m70.jpg (40632 bytes)  
71 NGC6838 Globular Cluster m71.jpg (53110 bytes)
72 NGC6981 Globular Cluster m72.jpg (23510 bytes)
73 NGC6994 Asterism? m73.jpg (26178 bytes)
I. Messier 1-24 | II. Messier 25-48 | III. Messier 49-73 | IV. Messier 74-110 | Back to top
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