by Craig and Tammy Temple
NGC3718 (Arp 214) is a magnitude 10.70 "S-shaped" peculiar galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major. It is likely being warped or distorted by the nearby magnitude 12.00 galaxy NGC3729 (at left in this image). Below NGC3718 is 5 interacting galaxies collectively known as Hickson 56 (Arp 322).
Telescope: 10” Orion Newtonian at f/4.7
Accessories: Baader MPCC
Mount: Orion Atlas EQ-G controlled by EQMOD
Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider on William Optics ZS66
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel T1i, Hap Griffin Baader modified
Filters: Astronomik CLS-CCD EOS Clip
Exposure: 37 x 300sec @ ISO 800 (3hr. 5min.)
Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.82 Camera Control
Processing: ImagesPlus 3.80a – Calibrated, registered, averaged, DDP
Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS4; Gradient XTerminator; Noise Ninja, Noel Carboni's Tools
Date(s): February 18, 2010
Temperature(s): 35ºF (dropped to 30ºF)
SQM reading (begin - end): 18.90 - 19.25