IC 1613 is an irregular dwarf galaxy, similar to the Large
Magellanic Cloud. Like the LMC, IC 1613 has a hint of a central
bar of stars running through the middle, oriented roughly vertical
in this picture. Large star-forming red nebulae can be seen in the upper
right part of the galaxy, and numerous blue clusters
of relatively new stars are located throughout the galaxy.

Unlike most of the universe, IC 1613 is getting
closer to our Milky Way Galaxy. Part of the Local Group of galaxies,
IC 1613 is only 2.4 million light years away, and is found
in the constellation Cetus.

Image data:
Camera: STL-11000
Telescope: Hyperion 12.5"
Exposure: 4 hours (90 minutes Luminance; RGB 50 minutes each)