Markarian's Chain

Markarian's Chain is part of the galaxy cluster in the constellation Virgo—the Virgo Cluster of galaxies.
The brightest galaxies in the frame:
Lenticular galaxy NGC 4477, lenticular galaxy NGC 4479, elliptical galaxy NGC 4473, elliptical galaxy NGC 4458, lenticular galaxy NGC 4461,
lenticular galaxy NGC 4435 + spiral galaxy NGC 4438—the Eyes Galaxies, spiral galaxy NGC 4402, elliptical galaxy Messier 86 (NGC 4406) with its satellite NGC 4406A,
elliptical galaxy NGC 4387, elliptical galaxy Messier 84 (NGC 4374), spiral galaxy NGC 4388, spiral galaxy NGC 4425, spiral galaxy NGC 4413.

Messier 86 (NGC 4406), Messier 84 (NGC 4374), NGC 4387, and NGC 4388 together form an object known as the "Large Galactic Face"—their arrangement resembles a facial profile.

Equipment:
Camera: Canon EOS 200 Da
Telescope: Synta SkyWatcher 150/750, F/5
Mount: HEQ-5 Pro
Bahtinov mask
Polar alignment camera: iOptron iPolar
Coma corrector: Baader MPCC Mark III
Guide scope: SVBONY 60/240, F/4
Guide camera: ZWO ASI 120 Mini
Flat panel: Gemini 190 mm

Acquisition software:
Astrophotography Tool
SharpCap (polar alignment)
EQ-Mode
ASCOM
Cartes Du Ciel
PHD2

Imaging date: March 23–24, 2026, near Chelyabinsk, Starokamyshinsk area
Red zone light pollution. Bortle class 7. Moon phase: 0.38
Total: 128 Light frames at 90 seconds each + 20 Dark frames + 20 Bias frames + 20 Flat frames
ISO 600. Total integration: Σ = 3h 12' 00"

Post-processing software:
DeepSkyStacker
FitsWork
FITStacker
Lightroom
StraNet2GUI
Photoshop
Topaz Denoise AI