NGC 1808 is a barred spiral galaxy located 40 million light years from Earth in the constellation of Columba.

While most spiral galaxies are flat disks this one has spumes of dust and gas on its outer spiral arms. The unusual shape may have been caused by a proximate encounter with another galaxy (NGC 1792). This is supported by the amount of gas moving towards the nucleus of NGC 1808 which has triggered a very high level of new star formation. The galaxy is classified as a starburst galaxy, but the heavy amount of gas and dust tends to obscure the starburst regions in ground based images. Of interest in this deep image is the resolution of the faint outer arms and star streams.

Imaged in LRGB on our CDK 1000 at Observatorio El Sauce, Obstech, Chile.

Deconvolved with RC Astro Blurxterminator Beta version.

Image Processing: Mike Selby and Mark Hanson

NGC 7377 is located 100 million light years away in Aquarius. It is relatively small in the apparent field of view and has been very rarely imaged. It has been variously classified as lenticular and spiral. As seen in this image there is a spiral structure evident and faint out stretched arms. It is more probable that this is a spiral transitioning to a lenticular galaxy. The spiral structure has a heavy dust content and is quite dense towards the central portion of the galaxy. The overall shape of the galaxy indicates possible past interaction with another galaxy. Imaged in LRGB on our Planewave CDK 1000 at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile.

Image Processing: Mike Selby and Mark Hanson

The South Celestial Serpent is a large integrated flux nebula (IFN). IFN are composed of diffuse dust particles, hydrogen and carbon monoxide and other elements. Unlike reflection nebula’s which are lit by proximate stars, IFN are illuminated by the glow of the Milky Way Galaxy and are much fainter than most reflection nebulae. IFN were only identified quite recently in great part due to improvements in the sensitivity of imaging sensors. They are very prominent in the direction of both the north and south celestial poles. The large IFN nebula close to the south celestial pole is MW9 and is commonly termed the South Celestial Serpent.

Imaged in RGB on our RH 350 at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile.

Image Processing: Mike Selby and Mark Hanson

Image Description and Details : VDB 123 is a reflection nebula in Serpens embedded in the Serpens Dark Cloud. It is illuminated by HD 170634 a magnitude 9.75 blue star.
Standing out in contrast to VDB 123 is a bright region of orange nebulosity, the Serpens reflection nebula.
Imaged in LRGB on our PlaneWave CDK 1000 at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile.
Image Processing: Mike Selby and Mark Hanson

Integration Time: L 16 hours RGB 5.5 hours each.

Copyright: Mike Selby/Mark Hanson

One of the highlights of the Southern sky, M83 is often referred to as the Southern Pinwheel. It is a colorful barred spiral starburst galaxy located only 15 million light years away in Hydra.

M83 has an unusual double nucleus and houses a super massive black hole at its center apparently surrounded by an asymmetric disc of stars. It has also been the home of at least six observed supernovae and nearly 300 supernovae remnants have been identified.

Imaged in LRGB and H alpha on our PlaneWave CDK 1000 at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile.

Copyright: Mike Selby and Mark Hanson