I can’t really claim any credit…it’s a great telescope! The UOI 0.5M Gemini telescope is part of the Sierra Stars Observatory Network (SSON) and was upgraded last summer. The new CCD makes images like this possible. The M88/AL Com image was a single 180 seconds exposure with a luminance filter. I’m no image processing expert; I just did a log stretch and a bit of stretching using IRIS to make the galaxy look nice(!). I took the magnitude estimate from the AAVSO web site where people like Gary report all their hard work.
Anyone can sign up to SSON and buy telescope time. They also have a 0.5M at Siding Spring to cover southern objects.
Mike.