M77

M77 (NGC 1068) is a very large galaxy between 50-60 Million Light-Years distant toward the Constellation Cetus. Its diameter is approximately 170,000 Light-Years, and has an active galaxy nucleus and described as a prototype Seyfert galaxy. It is also a barred spiral with a very bright inner region and much dimmer in its outer arm regions. The inner star forming regions are among the brightest known are the most luminous within 100 Million Light-Years.

Object: M77
Distance: 50-60 Million Light-Years
Magnitude: 8.9
Date: October 2009
Place: Fort Davis, TX
Exposure Details: LRGB:570:180:180:240 unbinned

Processing: MaxIm DL, CCDSharp, CCDStack, Photoshop CS3, etc.

Optics: 12.5"RCOS Truss
Focal Length: 2808 at F9
Mount: Paramount ME Robotic
Camera: SBIG STL6303E
Focuser: RCOS
Guiding: Off-Axis, SBIG Guide Camera
Filters: Tru-Balance, Gen II LRGB 2"