A deep field attempt at capturing Markarian's Chain and surrounding Ha gas.
More than 92 hours of exposure in Ha, Lum and RGB did not reveal as much data as I expected but very happy with the deep field view of all the background galaxies in this fascinating group.
Imaged over three months in April, May and June 2025 at Los Coloraos, Gorafe, Spain. Unfortunately the weather was not kind and many of the frames were discarded due to clouds.
Markarian's Chain is a stunning string of galaxies located within the larger Virgo Cluster. From our perspective on Earth, these galaxies appear to form a gently curving line across the night sky, creating a beautiful cosmic alignment. It was named after Armenian astrophysicist Benjamin Markarian, who in the 1960s discovered their shared motion through space.
This "chain" is not just a visual coincidence; many of the galaxies are gravitationally interacting, influencing each other's shapes and movements. Notable members include the famous Messier galaxies M84 and M86, along with the "Eyes Galaxies" (NGC 4435 and NGC 4438), which show clear signs of a past close encounter.
Markarian's Chain offers a fascinating glimpse into galaxy evolution and interactions within a dense cluster environment. It's a popular target for amateur astronomers, showcasing a variety of galaxy types, from elliptical to spiral, all bound together in a grand cosmic dance.
High resolution download and more information, visit AstroBin:
app.astrobin.com/i/ixzhwu
