M 83 – SOUTHERN PINWHEEL

Hydra

(ra: 13:37,8/ dec -29:52)

DATA

TYPE: Spiral Galaxy

VISUAL BRIGHTNESS: 7.6

SIZE: 11 x 10 arc minutes

DISTANCE: 15 Million light years

OBJECT DESCRIPTION

M83 is a close and frontal galaxy with the classic spiral shape. A member of the small group that includes NGC 5253 and other dwarfs members. The Southern Pinwheel is a prolific supernova producer. Six are accounted in the past century and only over passed by NGC 6949 in Cepheus (not visible from our location) with a record of 8. M83 centre indicates an exceptional ratio of stellar formation matching with its classification as a starburst type galaxy. Same as NGC 253 and M82. Its central region of about a thousand light years of extension shows a high level of complexity and the presence of a double nucleus on an uncertain nature. There are scientist hypothesis that the reason of the double core came after the fusion with other Galaxy of a minor size in its distant past.

IMAGE INFORMATION

SCOPE: Orion ED 80 @ 7.5 Meade LXD 75

SKY CONDITIONS: very good.

CAMERA: Starlight Xpress SXV H9

FILTERS: Astronomik Type II

EXPOSURES: LRGB (20,12,12,12)

ACQUISITION: AstroArt v 3. CCD control Interface v. 3.72

GUIDING: Synta 70/400 refractor - SXV Guide Camera

PROCESSED: Images Plus, (no darks, flats nor bias used) Photoshop CS