M102(NGC5866) and NGC5866A

M102 is often overlooked due to its proximity to its brighter neighbours. I had a go at this tonight despite the howling wind. It's amazing how much difference an observatory makes. I have no doubt that without it imaging tonight would not have been possible due to the wind. Even still I ended up losing 7/24 frames to the blasted gusts!

You can also see NGC5866A in the upper left of the image.

Anyway here's the image;

webtreatz.com/component/option,com_zoom/...geNo,8/key,63/hit,1/

Nice detail in The Spindle Dave! Good dertail considering the magnitude, size and the nature of the object itself.
Just wondering one small thing, the star to the left has sortof a double spike effect - is this due to the wind or some other cause?

Not bad considering Dave.

Later,

Jed.

Just wondering one small thing, the star to the left has sortof a double spike effect - is this due to the wind or some other cause?

Michael, the reason for the twin spike effect is that star is double. However being so bright they both merge into one bright star in the image but still exhibit two diffraction spikes.

Michael, the reason for the twin spike effect is that star is double. However being so bright they both merge into one bright star in the image but still exhibit two diffraction spikes.

Ah, that's pretty neat!

Another wonderful image Dave, great skill.

Deirdre Kelleghan
Irish Astronomical Society