Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Perseus (Per)  ·  Contains:  IC 1907  ·  NGC 1267  ·  NGC 1268  ·  NGC 1270  ·  NGC 1271  ·  NGC 1272  ·  NGC 1273  ·  NGC 1274  ·  NGC 1275  ·  NGC 1276  ·  NGC 1277  ·  NGC 1278  ·  NGC 1279  ·  NGC 1281  ·  Perseus A
Perseus Cluster, Abell 426 and NGC 1275 (Perseus A), Sergey Trudolyubov
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Perseus Cluster, Abell 426 and NGC 1275 (Perseus A)

Revision title: The heart of the Perseus Cluster

Perseus Cluster, Abell 426 and NGC 1275 (Perseus A), Sergey Trudolyubov
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Perseus Cluster, Abell 426 and NGC 1275 (Perseus A)

Revision title: The heart of the Perseus Cluster

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Description

Perseus Galaxy Cluster (Abell 426), is one of the most massive objects in the local universe, containing thousands of galaxies. Abell 426 is particularly bright in X-rays due to a large amounts of hot multi-million degree gas filling the space between its galaxies. In the center of the cluster sits a giant elliptical cD galaxy, NGC 1275 undergoing a merger with a spiral galaxy located in front of it. The core of NGC 1275 is very active with a supermassive black hole residing in the center and powering bright X-ray (Per X-1) and radio (Perseus A) sources. The network of H-alpha emission line emitting gas filaments seen in NGC 1275 is thought to be supported by relativistic outflows and magnetic fields generated by active galactic nucleus. The bluish tendrils seen in front of NGC 1275 are believed to be parts of the spiral galaxy that is being disrupted in the process of merging with NGC 1275.

This LRGB image of the Perseus Cluster and NGC 1275 was created using the data obtained with my mobile setup, the 250mm f/4 Lacerta PhotoNewton and ASI294MM Pro camera riding on the Orion HDX-110 EQ-G mount. The luminance image is a combination  of a series of 300s exposures taken at camera gain 0. The RGB color data is comprised of 300s exposures taken at gain 108.

L: 86x300s (Gain 0, bin 1x1)
R: 42x300s (Gain 108, bin 1x1)
G: 36x300s (Gain 108, bin 1x1)
B: 36x300s (Gain 108, bin 1x1)
Total exposure: 16.7 hours

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Revisions

  • Perseus Cluster, Abell 426 and NGC 1275 (Perseus A), Sergey Trudolyubov
    Original
  • Perseus Cluster, Abell 426 and NGC 1275 (Perseus A), Sergey Trudolyubov
    F
  • Perseus Cluster, Abell 426 and NGC 1275 (Perseus A), Sergey Trudolyubov
    G
  • Perseus Cluster, Abell 426 and NGC 1275 (Perseus A), Sergey Trudolyubov
    H
  • Final
    Perseus Cluster, Abell 426 and NGC 1275 (Perseus A), Sergey Trudolyubov
    I

F

Title: Abell 426 and NGC 1275, a wider field

Description: Wider field, additional color adjustment

Uploaded: ...

G

Title: The heart of the Perseus Cluster

Description: Close-up view of the central part of Abell 426, additional color correction

Uploaded: ...

H

Title: Abell 426 and NGC 1275, a wider field

Description: Wider field, slightly darker background

Uploaded: ...

I

Title: The heart of the Perseus Cluster

Description: Close-up view of the central part of Abell 426, slightly darker background

Uploaded: ...

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Perseus Cluster, Abell 426 and NGC 1275 (Perseus A), Sergey Trudolyubov