Messier 96 (M96)
Also Known as: : NGC 3368
Object Type: Intermediate Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Leo
Distance from Earth: 31 million light years
Apparent Magnitude: 10.1
Coordinates: RA 10H 46M 45.7S DEC 11 deg 49 min 12 sec
Actual Size: 100,000 light years in diameter
Apparent Dimensions: 7.6 arc-minutes x 5.2 arc-minutes
Coordinates: RA 12H 50M 53.1S DEC 41 deg 07 min 14 sec
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Environmental Data
Date: April 22, 2022 Start Time: 8:38 PM End Time: 2:11AM SQM: 16.59
Moon Age: 21.0 days Moonrise: 1:39AM Moon Illumination: 62.4%
Temperature: 57 degrees F Humidity: 34% Dew Point: 29 degrees F
Location: Westport, Massachusetts 02790 Sky Condition: Clear
Comment: Too low in West at 2:30AM
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Imaging Scope Data
Mount: iOptron CEM120 Camera: ZWO ASI2600 OSC Focuser: Optec QuickSync FT20
Telescope: Celestron 11 inch SCT Edge Focal Length: 1960mm
Focal Reducer/Field Flattener: 0.7 focal reducer Filter: None
Rotator: Manual Power Control: None Dew Heater: Kendrick dew strip
Imaging Software
Mount: iOptron Commander Focuser: Optec FocusLynx Commander
Imaging: Sequence Generator Pro Platesolve: None Rotator/Control:
Imaging Status
Imaging Software: Sequence Generated Focus HFR 3.8 Platesolve: Success on 5th attempt
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Guide Scope Data
Telescope: Stellarvue SVX130 refractor Camera: ZWO ASI290 Focuser: Optec DirectSync SV35
Dew Heater: Software: PHD2 Exposure: 2 sec Binning: 1x1 Tracking Result: 1.25 arc-seconds RMS
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Images Taken
Number of light frames: 87 Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -10 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
Total Integration Time: 2.9 hours
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Number of flat frames: 50 Duration: 0.15 seconds Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -10 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
Flat Field Illumination: All-Pro 'Spike-a-Flat Field standard' illuminated panel
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Number of Dark frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 2 minutes Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -10 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
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Number of Bias frames: 50 (from library) Duration: 0.001 seconds Gain: 100
Camera Temperature: -10 degrees C Binning: 1x1 F-Stop: 7.0
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Imaging Processing
Imaging Processing Software: PixInsight
Processes utilized: Linear - calibration/integration: Flats ImageCalibration with Master Bias, Flat ImageIntegration, Images ImageCalibration with Flat Master & Dark Master, Debayer, SubFrameSelector, StarAlign, ImageIntegration
Linear - Background extraction, Color correction, deconvolution, noise reduction: DynamicBackgroundExtraction, ImageSolver, SpectroPhotometricColorCalibration, BlurXTerminator, NoiseXterminator
Non-Linear: GeneralizedHyperbolicStretch script, StarReduction script, HistogramTransformation, MultiscaleLinearTransform for sharpening, HistogramTransformation
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Notes:
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