Crop from full frame, 80% full res

M104 appears like a glowing space cruiser battling with the stars

AP152 F7.5 Starfire APO + FLI ProLine16803 CCD & CFW-5-7
LRGB = 210 30 30 30min Astronomik 50mm square filters
-30C chip temp, darks and flats (AstroHandy LightRing used for flats)
Focal Length: 1300mm
Image scale = 1.4"/pix
Guide Camera: Starlightxpress SXVH9

Taken from Bob and Pats farm in average seeing
http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/107700957/original

Some links to equipment used to take this image:

Finger Lakes Instrumentation (FLI) CCD cameras and equipment:
http://www.flicamera.com/

StarlightXpress CCD cameras and equipment
http://www.starlight-xpress.co.uk/

Astro-Elecronic FS2 scope GOTO controller:
http://www.astro-electronic.de/

Gerd Neumann and Astronomik filters:

http://www.astronomik.com/en/home

http://www.gerdneumann.net/

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