M86 & M84 - The Virgo Cluster of Galaxies

Telescope: Takahashi FS-102 @ f/8
Camera: Canon 350D (Hutech I modified)
Settings: ISO: 800; Raw capture
Exposures: 10 @ 5 min. for each of 2 frames
Note:

The images were focused, captured, reduced, aligned, and combined in ImagesPlus. The two frames were combined and adjusted (Levels, Curves, Color Balance, Cropping) in Photoshop CS2.

M86 is the large, brighter eliptical galaxy near the center of the cluster. M84 is just to its right. Also visible are several other galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. NGC 4402 is just above M86; NGC 4388 is at the bottom right. NGC4438 and NGC4435 (the Eyes) are the two spiral galaxies to the left of M86.

Shot from my backyard observatory in southeastern Minnesota. Temp: 20F

   
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