M108 - Galaxy in Ursa Major

Here's an image taken on 3rd February only had time to process it now. Before you ask I have no idea what the spike to the left of the galaxy is. On the night of capture I ruled out anything in the optical train by rotating the camera, it was still there in the same place on every image. However it faded as the night went on. SInce it was something captured rather than a preocessing artifact, I decided to leave it there.

webtreatz.com/component/option,com_zoom/...eNo,10/key,89/hit,1/

Details under the image. However its worth noting that this entire image was automatically captured centred and guided by ACP software.

Dave,

This is a great image! It's a difficult galaxy to yield detail along its major axis. However, it's an interesting galaxy in that doesn't show up the typical characteristics of the classical ones you normally see. It also doesn't have the delineation of normal galaxies with there pronounced core and well defined spiral pattern.

It is actually surprising how much detail you can see in the galaxy. Your colour is showing up the more conspicuous appearance of dusty edge, seen edge on.

Eamonn A

MPC J62
www.kingslandobservatory.com

Almost doesnt look like a galaxy (in the traditional sense). Strange looking thing.

Well done.

Lovely image Dave. I see what you mean by the streak coming off the galaxy - looks like the flagella on a bacretium under a microscope!

Down at the bottom of the image (left of centre) there is another small galaxy, and to the left of that a short straightish line - I think you captured an asteroid! The track is broken suggesting you took a short break between exposures!

Phil.

Dave and Phil,

I've counted 7 other galaxies. I would concur with Phil that it is an asteroid.
It appears to be a bright one. I wonder what MPC checker makes of it, ie. a name

Regarding the streak coming off at a tangent to the left of the galaxy, I find it interesting that there is also a bias in colouration towards the left of the galaxy as compared to the right. Would this bias be in the processing of the image and possibly creating this other artifact?

Eamonn A

Down at the bottom of the image (left of centre) there is another small galaxy, and to the left of that a short straightish line - I think you captured an asteroid! The track is broken suggesting you took a short break between exposures!

Yeah saw that too and initially though it was a processing artifact, but knowing Dave - nah!!
I think your correct in the asteroid assumption, and if Dave confirms the imaging break then its for sure.

Could the streak be caused by moisture on the lens, that later cleared? (I know its usually the other way round - dew later).