This spiral galaxy seems to be enveloped in a hazy cloud,
probably the result of shredding and beginning to absorb
one or more smaller galaxies. Notice that the spiral arm
on the right side of the galaxy has been stretched out,
and there is a faint stream of stars off the right end
of the galaxy. NGC 3521 is about 35 million light years
away, in the constellation Leo, and has a diameter of about
50,000 light years.

Image data:
Telescope: Hyperion 12.5"
Camera; SBIG STL11-11000
Exposure: 12 hours, 40 minutes
(Lum = 460 minutes; RGB = 300 minutes)