November 16, 2024

M110 – Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy in Andromeda

M110 – Elliptical Galaxy in Andromeda – Astro-Tech RC8, ASI294MC Pro

Telescope: Astro-Tech 8” f/8 Ritchey-Chretien, Orion Atlas EQ-G

Camera: ZWO ASI294MC Pro, -10C, Gain 200

Filter: 2” Orion Imaging Skyglow Filter

Guide scope: Astro-Tech 60mm, Meade DSI Pro II, PHD

Exposure: 22x240sec, saved as FITS

Darks: 32x240s, saved as FITS

Flats: 32x1sec, sky flats taken at dusk

Average Light Pollution: Red zone, Bortle 8, fair transparency

Lensed Sky Quality Meter: 18.5 mag/arc-sec^2

Stacking: Mean with a 2-sigma clip.

White Balance: Nebulosity Automatic

Software: Nebulosity, Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop

M110 is the larger and fainter of two prominent satellite galaxies of M31. If you look closely you can see the outskirts of M31 in the lower left corner of this field. M110 is fairly unique in that it shows some hints of structure and dust clouds near its core. Most elliptical galaxies tend to be relatively featureless. Visually M110 is relatively faint and diffuse, lying on the opposite side of M31 from the smaller and brighter M32 and a bit farther out.

M110 along with M31 and M32 are currently well placed high overhead in the early evening.