Okay, this was a little project since I was bored cause clouds, clouds and clouds ... and then some more clouds
I did capture the M31 Andromeda core (see viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3116) and that was fun to do.
But the topic of RonAM and the replies there (see viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3070) sparked my interest: there is a lot more then meets the eye with M31: the globular clusters.
So, looked up several online resources and made my own map (including magnitudes) of the globular clusters of the M31 Andromeda core. And this was really so much fun Kept me busy for several hours during 3 days and it's so worth it and satisfying.
Thanks!
And yes, I did read that the count is now around 500 confirmed and 200 unconfirmed globulars. This for the whole M31 (see https://www.flickr.com/photos/dcrowson/11519967314 as example) and not the core region.
Here in my capture, mag 18.9 is the faintest one to show. But there are way more in this FOV that are fainter. So I guess there would be like around 3 times more in this FOV then I have mapped now
That's great, Menno! It's good to have scientific pursuits.
I might get some clear skies tonight. Edwin Hubble's variable star in M31 is at minimum light: magnitude 19.8. I'm running the numbers now: 180x60s in luminance (3 hours) should capture it at SNR 12.5. That's not great but I'll be happy if I can just record it. With some luck I'll be able to do photometry on it although the accuracy won't be great.
Either that or NGC 205, a satellite elliptical galaxy of M31. I've seen long exposure images of it that show an interesting gravitational effect. I'll try my new Wratten #12 (minus blue) in order to tame those nearby bright blue stars due to my cr*ppy refractor.
That is really interesting Menno and Brian ..thankyou
Following the initial post from Ron I too have been doing the same with my recent M31 images. It really does add something to understand better what you are seeing and to differentiate foreground stars from the galaxies globulars.
Kept me busy for several hours during 3 days and it's so worth it and satisfying.
