Harder image processing reveals the complex system of shells that make up the structure of the
extensive halo around this galaxy and the super faint galactic cirrus nebulosity is also more vivid
now.

Read a great article on Universe Today about this image, by Tammy Plotner
http://www.universetoday.com/2008/09/21/deep-inside-a-giant-centaurus-a-by-mike-sidonio/

Here are links to other views that showcase various aspects and details revealed by this extensive data set.

See a full size 4008 X 2670 (4.5meg) image that reveals 1000's of distant background galaxies:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/97573250/original

See this close-up of the outer halo of Centaurus A:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/108205041/original

See the extent of the faint Galacitic Cirrus in this enhanced luminance view:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/97429117/original

See the faint featurs including the shells in the galaxy halo in this negative view:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/97429465/original

See a more traditional view of Centaurus A using a small amount of the data used above:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/96741683/original

See a detailed close up of the intricate dark dust lane:
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/97014931/original

AP152 F7.5 Starfire APO refractor with 4" field flattener
FLI ProLine11002 CCD & CFW-2-7
LRGB = 15hrs 1.5hr 1.5hr 1.5hr = 19.5hrs total exposure (all bin 1X1) Astronomik filters
-35C chip temp, darks and flats (AstroHandy LightRing used for flats)
12MPPS download speed = 1.5sec/full frame download at bin 1X1.
FOV = 1.8deg X 1.2deg at 1.6"/pix
Guide Camera: Starlightxpress SXVH9

Comments:
Taken over 3 nights from very dark skies at "Wiruna" - the remote dark sky site of the
Astronomical Society of New South Wales, Australia:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/81003751/original

Some links to equipment used to take this image:

Finger Lakes Instrumentation CCD cameras:

http://www.fli-cam.com/

Astro-Elecronic FS2 scope GOTO controller:

http://www.astro-electronic.de/

Gerd Neumann/Astronomik filters:

http://www.gerd.neumann.net/

http://www.astronomik.com/

MSB Software & Astroart 4

http://www.msb-astroart.com/

STAR Atlas:PRO planetarium software:

http://www.skylab.com.au/

AstroHandy Accessories

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/astrohandy_lightring

http://www.astrohandy.com