2.4.16

markarian

Markarian's Chain
Named after Armenian astronomer Beniamin Markarian (1913-1985) who studied the motions of these galaxies in the Virgo cluster. They are all ridiculously distant. One of the closest, m84, is over 60 million light years away. A true study in looking into the past.

In 2001 I built an observatory for my 6" refractor and dreamed about beng able to take photos like this. At f8 the telescope was slow but the views under the dark skies of La Alcarria in Guadalajara were breathtaking. Add a Nikon FM2 SLR with Fuji colour film. You took single shots, guided through an illuminated eyepiece. You yourself, control box in hand, did the guiding corrections. I never thought I'd get anywhere near until last night. Beginners luck, an f5 refractor and the guys over at SGL made my dream come true.

markarian's chain in virgo 
featuring galaxies: r to l m84 ngc4387 ngc4388 m86 ngc4402 ngc4413 ngc4425 ngc 4435 ngc4438 ngc4458 ngc4461 ngc4473
canon 1200D + ar152s  8 x 45s @ ISO 1600