The largest galaxy in this image is NGC 3718, which is characterized
by warped spiral arms and an unusual lane of dust the crosses through
the central bulge of the galaxy. Both of these features are likely caused
by gravity from nearby galaxy NGC 3729, which is seen here to the lower left.
The two galaxies are only 147,000 light years apart, and probably orbit one
another. These galaxies are found in the constellation Ursa Major, and are
about 42 million light years from earth. Below the right arm of NGC 3718 is
a group of 5 small galaxies which form Hickson Group 56. These galaxies appear
small only because they are so much farther from earth, at a distance of somewhere
between 300 million and 500 million light years. If you view the full sized image,
you will also be able to spot numerous galaxies that appear even smaller, and are
more distant than the Hickson Group 56.
cropped from original)

Image Data:
Camera: Canon 350 XT (modified)
Exposure: ISO 800, 5 minutes x 50
Telescope: 10" Schmidt-Newtonian, Baader MPCC