M-100 in Coma Bernices 
M-100 is a nice spiral in the Virgo Cluster of galaxies.  That was my primary target when I originally decided to take the image.  After looking at the results, I discovered that I had actually imaged four galaxies in this single shot.  I've marked them in the lower image which has been processed to better bring out the dimmer galaxies.  I was really pleased to have captured a magnitude 16.4 galaxy with an 8" SCT.
    Constellation:  Coma Berenices

    Size:  7.5 x 6.3 arcmin

    Magnitude:  10.1

    Surface Brightness:  13.3

    RA:  12h 22m 55.2s

    Dec: +15d 49m 23s


M-100 and Star Field

Scope: Orion MAK 500
Nikon w/ Kodak 800 MAX Film
Focal Ratio: f5.5
Exposure: Three 10  min exposures combined

This image clearly shows what increasing exposure time does and the limitations caused by light pollution.  Longer exposure will bring out brighter areas, but the dim areas stay in the noise.

Click here for a larger image

Scope:  8" LX 200 SCT
MX-5C CCD Camera, STAR 2000 & IDAS LPR
Focal Ratio: f4.8
Exposure:  140 min
Scope:  8" LX 200 SCT
MX-5C CCD Camera & STAR 2000
Focal Ratio: f4
Exposure:  35 min
Scope:   8" LX 200 SCT
MX-5C CCD Camera & STAR 2000
Focal Ratio: f4
Exposure:  35 min; highly processed to bring out dimmer galaxies.
Link to the SEDS M-100 Page
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