PR Imaging at ING

[ Instrumentation | Observing | After Observing | Notes on Combining Images | Results | The ING PR Imaging Team | Other Interesting Links ]

The ING High-Quality CCD Image Project. The ING High-quality CCD Image Collection aims at producing high-quality and colour-ful CCD images from a list of selected objects. Images are collected from the ING archive or scheduled observations, processed and coded as the primary colors.

Instrumentation

Prime Focus Camera on the WHT
Imaging features:
FOV: 16.4 * 16.4 (8.2) arcmin
Pixel scale: 0.24"/pixel
Image size: 4096*4100 (2050) pixels
Filters: RGO U9, Harris B5, Harris V5, Harris R5, Harris I5, RGO Z4.
Cosmetics: CCD2 better than CCD1.
Best for:
faint, extended objects.
Relative Transmission Efficiency Factors:

Filter Airmass=1.0 Airmass=1.5 Airmass=2.0

Harris B 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000

Harris V l.3801 1.4535 1.5292

Harris R 1.4360 2.1280 2.2827

Aux Port Camera on the WHT

Imaging features:
FOV: 1.8 arcmin
Pixel scale: 0.11 arcsec/pixel
Image size: 1024*1024
Filters: UBVRI nromally. It may have narrow-band filters if the Aux Camera is specifically commissioned.

Best for: Small, faint objects.

Wide Field Camera on the INT
Best for: Extended objects. Narrow-band imaging.

f/15 CCD camera on the JKT
Best for: Bright objects, narrow-band imaging.

Observing

Dear ING Observer,
We would be very grateful if you have got a nice image and you give us permission to publicise it through our web pages and publications. Full credit will be given. TIFF is the desired format and DIN-A4 size at a resolution of 300 dpi is desireable. Please contact Javier Méndez (jma@ing.iac.es). Many thanks.

Prime Focus Camera on the WHT
WHEN?
At sunset or sunrise, when neither calibration nor science observations are being carried out and on a volunteer basis.
For each object a visibility chart is available (plotted using Starlink's OBSERVE). For visibility at a given night please use STARALT
WHAT TO OBSERVE AND HOW?

Take the usual calibration frames: bias, sky flats. Take as many flats as possible. If sky flats are few on there are none, then please do many dome flats.
Exposure times adequate to get good signal to noise, but split into short exposures in order to get rid of cosmic rays and avoid saturation of any bright objects.
The total exposure time should be the target plus one more exposure, which will be removed later due to cosmic rays removal.
Always auto-guide, even if you are taking many short exposures. Autoguiding must be good enough (no elongated images please!).
Seeing can be any but good seeing is always welcome.
Try to choose the CCD with best cosmetics and choose filters as it is shown below.
Please check that the image is very well centered before starting a set of exposures.
Moon can be any but avoid pointing near the Moon! (sky will saturate soon).
Either photometric or spectrosocopic conditions can be any.
Weather can be cloudy or dusty! (unless you can't see anything in the images...)
No need to offset images from one exposure to another when doing one of the filters unless you suspect the sky flats won't flatten the image oyou have any.
Please rotate the field of view in order to fit the image in the detector if necessary.
 
No images yet (lowest priority)
 
Some images done (highest priority)
 
Completed
Target name Position Exposure Time and Filter Notes Visibility

AR (2000.0) Dec (2000.0) 1 2 3

NGC 45 00 14 03.8 -23 10 57 B V R Please center on CCD2.

NGC 891 2 22 33.5 +42 20 56.9 B V R Please center on CCD2. Size: 14*2 arcmin. Monthly visibility. Visibility tonight

NGC 2903. Galaxy. 09 32 09.7 +21 30 07

NGC 3189. Galaxy Group 10 18 06.2 +21 49 52

NGC 3180. Galaxy. 10 18 16.8 +41 25 26.9

NGC 4038 and NGC 4029. Antenna Galaxies. 12 01 53.4 -18 52 35

HCG 61. Group of galaxies. 12 12 25.4 +29 09 56.9

M 106. Seyfert 1 galaxy. 12 18 57.6 +47 18 14.2

NGC 4565. Seyfert 2 Galaxy. 12 36 20.9 +25 59 15.7

M 90. Seyfert galaxy. 12 36 49.4 +13 09 52

M 104. Sombrero Galaxy. 12 39 58.8 -11 37 28

NGC 4894. A Galaxy in a galaxy cluster. 13 00 16.5 +27 58 02.9

NGC 5353. Galaxy in group of galaxies. 13 53 26.8 +40 16 58.9

NGC 5427. Seyfert 2 Galaxy. 14 03 25.6 -06 01 42.3

M 27 19 59 36.2 +22 43 01 B V R Please center on the middle of the CCD mosaic. Monthly visibility. Visibility tonight

NGC 6946 20 34 52.7 +60 09 15 B V R Please center on CCD2. Size: 9*9 arcmin.

NGC 7331 22 37 04.2 +34 24 56.4 B V R Please center on CCD2. Object observed on the JKT by Dan Bramich. 14/07/2001. 10*100s exposures in each B,V,R band. Good seeing.

NGC 7635. The Bubble Nebula. 23 20 44.52 +61 11 40.6 B V R Size: 15 arcmin.

Aux Port Camera

Target name Position Exposure Time and Filter Notes Visibility

RA (2000.0) Dec (2000.0) 1 2 3

Hubbles Variable Nebula. NGC 2261. 6 39 10 +08 45.0 B V R

M 2-9. Butterfly Nebula. 17 05 37.7 -10 08 32.5 H-alpha 656.5
2 + 20 min [OIII] 500.7
2 min HeII 468.6
2 min

NGC 6302. Planetary Nebula 17 13 44.2 -37 06 14 H-alpha 656.5
2 + 20 min [OIII] 500.7
2 + 20 min

NGC 6537. Planetary Nebula. 18 05 13.1 -19 50 34.2 H-alpha 656.5
2 + 10 min [OIII] 500.7
2 min HeII 468.6
2 min

NGC 6720. Ring Nebula. 18 53 35.2 +33 01 43.2 H-alpha 656.5
10 min [OIII] 500.7
10 min HeII 468.6
10 min

Wide Field Camera on the INT

Target name Position Exposure Time and Filter Notes Visibility

RA (2000.0) Dec (2000.0) 1 2 3

NGC 253 00 47 33.2 -25 17 17.4 B V R

M1. Supernova Remnant. 05 34 32.0 +22 00 52.1 H-alpha 656.5
20-30 min [OIII] 500.7
20-30 min HeII 468.6
20-30 min

NGC 2237. Rosette Nebula. 06 33 45 +04 59 54 H-alpha 656.5 V B

NGC 2264. Cone Nebula. 06 41 06 +09 53 00 B V R Short exposures to avoid saturation of bright star

NGC 2392. Planetary Nebula. 07 29 10.8 +20 54 42.5 H-alpha 656.5
2 min [OIII] 500.7
2 min HeII 468.6
2 min

M 81. Seyfert 1 Galaxy. 09 55 33.2 +69 03 55.1

M 20. The Triffid Nebula. 18 02 23 -23 01 48 B V R

M 27. Dumbell Nebula. 19 59 36.2 +22 43 01 H-alpha 656.5
>30 min [OIII] 500.7
>30 min HeII 468.6
>30 min Monthly visibility. Visibility tonight

NGC 7293. Helix Nebula. 22 29 48.4 -20 49 26 H-alpha 656.5
20-30 min [OIII] 500.7
20-30 min HeII 468.6
20-30 min

KjPn 8. Planetary Nebula. 23 24 10.4 +60 57 29 H-alpha 656.5
>30 min [OIII] 500.7
>30 min

f/15 CCD camera on the JKT

Target name Position Exposure Time and Filter Notes Visibility

AR (2000.0) Dec (2000.0) 1 2 3

M 74. Spiral Galaxy in Pisces. 01 36 46 +15 47 19 B V R Size: 11*9 arcmin. Check that it's well centered before starting exposure.

M 76. Little Dumbell in Perseus. 01 42 18 +51 34 00 B V R Size: 5 arcmin.

NGC 1023. Group of galaxies. 02 40 24.16 +39 03 45.9 B V R

NGC 1023. Group of galaxies. 02 40 24.16 +39 03 45.9 B V R

NGC 2392. Eskimo Nebula. 07 29 10.8 +20 54 42.5 H-alpha 656.5
3*10 min [OIII] 500.7
3*10 min HeII 468.6
3*10 min

M 49. Galaxy in cluster of galaxies. 12 29 46.9 +08 00 01.4

M 94. Seyfert galaxy. 12 50 52.9 +41 07 15

M 64. The blackeye galaxy. 12 56 44.7 +21 40 53

M 92. Globular Cluster in Hercules. 17 17 06 +43 08 00 Size: 11.2 arcmin.Observed by Dan Bramich, 14/07/2001. BVR filters, 100s per filter. Good seeing.

M 17. Omega Nebula. 18 20 53 -16 10 55 H-alpha

After observing

Please contact Javier Méndez (jma@ing.iac.es).

Notes on Combining Images

Combining B, V and R images to get 'true-colour' images
1. The idea: getting rid of instrumental effects to recover original relative colors.
2. We calculate transmission efficiencies for the system atmosphere+telescope+filter+detector, and integrate in wavelength.
3. We normalise to the smallest value. The we obtain exposure times in each band taking into account the relative transmission factors and a good signal to noise.
4. After reducing the data, with special care with bad pixels, cosmic rays and Point Spread Functions, we code the three images as blue, green and red.
Combining narrow-band images
1. We proceed as above, but adding or coding the narrow-band images as follows:
A. [OIII] image is coded as green and added to the V image if any.
B. H-alpha image is coded as red and added to the R image if any.
C. HeII image is coded as blue and added to the B image if any.
D. If there are more than 3 narrow-band images, we produce several 3-image composites using the primary colours and we chose the best one.

Results

The ING Picture Gallery of the Universe
The ING High-quality Image Collection will be available using the same layout as the ING Picture Gallery of the Universe, but also including:
1. A more detailed technical description.
2. A longer description of the image, with special emphasis on the science.
3. A short description of how the image was produced (maybe).
4. Information provided by the authors.

The ING PR imaging team

ING staff
Nik Szymanek Javier Méndez

Other interesting links

HST Heritage Project
ESO Image galleries
CFHT Picture of the Week archive
TNG Photo Gallery
Photos from NOT
To prepare a list of objects for any season:
Stellar Scenes

CCD Images of the Messier Objects in Color (Sky and Telescope poster)
The Messier Objects
CCD Images of Messier Objects
Messier Objects in Astronomy Picture of the Day
Messier Objects in CometMan.com
The Messier Picture Gallery
Database for Messier's Objects

Javier Méndez
jma@ing.iac.es

Filter	Airmass=1.0	Airmass=1.5	Airmass=2.0
Harris B	1.0000	1.0000	1.0000
Harris V	l.3801	1.4535	1.5292
Harris R	1.4360	2.1280	2.2827

	No images yet (lowest priority)
	Some images done (highest priority)
	Completed

Target name	Position		Exposure Time and Filter			Notes	Visibility
	AR (2000.0)	Dec (2000.0)	1	2	3
NGC 45	00 14 03.8	-23 10 57	B	V	R	Please center on CCD2.
NGC 891	2 22 33.5	+42 20 56.9	B	V	R	Please center on CCD2. Size: 14*2 arcmin.	Monthly visibility. Visibility tonight
NGC 2903. Galaxy.	09 32 09.7	+21 30 07
NGC 3189. Galaxy Group	10 18 06.2	+21 49 52
NGC 3180. Galaxy.	10 18 16.8	+41 25 26.9
NGC 4038 and NGC 4029. Antenna Galaxies.	12 01 53.4	-18 52 35
HCG 61. Group of galaxies.	12 12 25.4	+29 09 56.9
M 106. Seyfert 1 galaxy.	12 18 57.6	+47 18 14.2
NGC 4565. Seyfert 2 Galaxy.	12 36 20.9	+25 59 15.7
M 90. Seyfert galaxy.	12 36 49.4	+13 09 52
M 104. Sombrero Galaxy.	12 39 58.8	-11 37 28
NGC 4894. A Galaxy in a galaxy cluster.	13 00 16.5	+27 58 02.9
NGC 5353. Galaxy in group of galaxies.	13 53 26.8	+40 16 58.9
NGC 5427. Seyfert 2 Galaxy.	14 03 25.6	-06 01 42.3
M 27	19 59 36.2	+22 43 01	B	V	R	Please center on the middle of the CCD mosaic.	Monthly visibility. Visibility tonight
NGC 6946	20 34 52.7	+60 09 15	B	V	R	Please center on CCD2. Size: 9*9 arcmin.
NGC 7331	22 37 04.2	+34 24 56.4	B	V	R	Please center on CCD2. Object observed on the JKT by Dan Bramich. 14/07/2001. 10*100s exposures in each B,V,R band. Good seeing.
NGC 7635. The Bubble Nebula.	23 20 44.52	+61 11 40.6	B	V	R	Size: 15 arcmin.

Target name	Position		Exposure Time and Filter
	RA (2000.0)	Dec (2000.0)	1	2	3
Hubbles Variable Nebula. NGC 2261.	6 39 10	+08 45.0	B	V	R
M 2-9. Butterfly Nebula.	17 05 37.7	-10 08 32.5	H-alpha 656.5 2 + 20 min	[OIII] 500.7 2 min	HeII 468.6 2 min
NGC 6302. Planetary Nebula	17 13 44.2	-37 06 14	H-alpha 656.5 2 + 20 min	[OIII] 500.7 2 + 20 min
NGC 6537. Planetary Nebula.	18 05 13.1	-19 50 34.2	H-alpha 656.5 2 + 10 min	[OIII] 500.7 2 min	HeII 468.6 2 min
NGC 6720. Ring Nebula.	18 53 35.2	+33 01 43.2	H-alpha 656.5 10 min	[OIII] 500.7 10 min	HeII 468.6 10 min

Target name	Position		Exposure Time and Filter			Notes	Visibility
	RA (2000.0)	Dec (2000.0)	1	2	3
NGC 253	00 47 33.2	-25 17 17.4	B	V	R
M1. Supernova Remnant.	05 34 32.0	+22 00 52.1	H-alpha 656.5 20-30 min	[OIII] 500.7 20-30 min	HeII 468.6 20-30 min
NGC 2237. Rosette Nebula.	06 33 45	+04 59 54	H-alpha 656.5	V	B
NGC 2264. Cone Nebula.	06 41 06	+09 53 00	B	V	R	Short exposures to avoid saturation of bright star
NGC 2392. Planetary Nebula.	07 29 10.8	+20 54 42.5	H-alpha 656.5 2 min	[OIII] 500.7 2 min	HeII 468.6 2 min
M 81. Seyfert 1 Galaxy.	09 55 33.2	+69 03 55.1
M 20. The Triffid Nebula.	18 02 23	-23 01 48	B	V	R
M 27. Dumbell Nebula.	19 59 36.2	+22 43 01	H-alpha 656.5 >30 min	[OIII] 500.7 >30 min	HeII 468.6 >30 min		Monthly visibility. Visibility tonight
NGC 7293. Helix Nebula.	22 29 48.4	-20 49 26	H-alpha 656.5 20-30 min	[OIII] 500.7 20-30 min	HeII 468.6 20-30 min
KjPn 8. Planetary Nebula.	23 24 10.4	+60 57 29	H-alpha 656.5 >30 min	[OIII] 500.7 >30 min

Target name	Position		Exposure Time and Filter			Notes
	AR (2000.0)	Dec (2000.0)	1	2	3
M 74. Spiral Galaxy in Pisces.	01 36 46	+15 47 19	B	V	R	Size: 11*9 arcmin. Check that it's well centered before starting exposure.
M 76. Little Dumbell in Perseus.	01 42 18	+51 34 00	B	V	R	Size: 5 arcmin.
NGC 1023. Group of galaxies.	02 40 24.16	+39 03 45.9	B	V	R
NGC 1023. Group of galaxies.	02 40 24.16	+39 03 45.9	B	V	R
NGC 2392. Eskimo Nebula.	07 29 10.8	+20 54 42.5	H-alpha 656.5 3*10 min	[OIII] 500.7 3*10 min	HeII 468.6 3*10 min
M 49. Galaxy in cluster of galaxies.	12 29 46.9	+08 00 01.4
M 94. Seyfert galaxy.	12 50 52.9	+41 07 15
M 64. The blackeye galaxy.	12 56 44.7	+21 40 53
M 92. Globular Cluster in Hercules.	17 17 06	+43 08 00				Size: 11.2 arcmin.Observed by Dan Bramich, 14/07/2001. BVR filters, 100s per filter. Good seeing.
M 17. Omega Nebula.	18 20 53	-16 10 55	H-alpha