NGC 3628: A Stunning View of the Hamburger Galaxy
Galaxies are some of the most breathtaking sights in the universe, and NGC 3628, affectionately nicknamed the "Hamburger Galaxy," is no exception. This edge-on spiral galaxy, located in the constellation Leo, presents a striking profile with its prominent dust lane obscuring the galactic core.
This particular capture of NGC 3628 was achieved with an unguided setup, highlighting the dedication and skill of astrophotographers who push the limits of their equipment. The images were taken through a Celestron C11 telescope at f/6.3, mounted on an EQ6-R Pro equatorial mount.
Despite the lack of a guide camera and the absence of calibration frames like flats and biases (due to chilly conditions and an early end to the observing session), the resulting image is remarkably detailed. The acquisition consisted of:
- Lights: 87 frames at 60 seconds each
- Darks: 15 frames at 60 seconds each
The raw data was stacked using Siril, a powerful free and open-source astronomical image processing software. Further refinement and enhancement were carried out in Adobe Photoshop, bringing out the intricate details of the galaxy's structure and the subtle nuances of its cosmic dust.
This image serves as a testament to what can be achieved even without the most advanced setups, emphasizing the importance of patience, technique, and post-processing in the pursuit of capturing the wonders of the cosmos.
