A technical challenge to image the cosmic jet of quasar 3C273 in Virgo was completed succesfull.
The quasar itself is very easy at the 12,8th magnitude. The jet is much dimmer at approx Magn. 19 and with a low surface brightness.
The picture below was 80x120s with the 120mm F7 Esprit, and the ASI2600 mono, no filters.
On June 2nd, with the C14 F/7 however, I was not able to capture this ‘jet’. So it remains unsure if this was a positive confirmed observation. The data and image obtained with the C14 was plagued by Moonlight, Cirrus clouds, and already a low altitude, including twilight.
On a stretched, inverted cut-out, there is a very fine hint of a structure above the quasar. It’s pointing towards the ‘third star’ in the triangle. With that, it corresponds with the observation made above earlier in May with the 120mm Esprit. What is noticable, is that the structure is more fine and defined compared to the ‘pixel hunt’. Admitted, this is probably more a hunting exercise, giving the low contrast. Nevertheless I’d like to think it’s there.
This invites for a next attempt, likely next year in March / April, again with the C14, likely with the monochrome camera, and a longer integration in better circonstances.
