Markarian Chain

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Description
Galaxies
RA 12h 25m 06s Dec: 12 degrees 53" 00"
20 X 5 minute frames with 30 flats and darks ISO 1600.
Canon 350D modified by Hap.
Orion Atlas mount Guided with Astro IIDC through Meade SN-6" with I.S. DMK 21AF04.AS
Nebulosity for capture and stacking, Photoshop CS2 for post processing
Transparency , Seeing , Temperature +50 °F
Markarian's chain was named after an Armenian astronomer in the 1970s and represents a beautiful stretch of galaxies that forms part of the Virgo Cluster.  Our own Local Group of galaxies (Milky Way, large and small Magellenic Clouds, M31, M32, M100, M33) is currently receding from the Virgo Cluster at a rate of about 1000 km/second.  However, it is anticipated that our Local Group will eventually stop receding from the Virgo Cluster and will ultimately accelerate towards this region (gravity from the Virgo Cluster influences us even at distances of 70 million light years).
Orion 80ED, WO 0.8 FR, with Astronomik CLS Filter
Massapoag Pond Observatory Lunenburg, MA - May 4th 2008 @ 10:00 PM EST
Notes
Markarian Chain
Markanian_chain