This image of the galaxy Messier 106 shows also the galaxies NGC 4248 (closely at the left), and NGC 4217 on the far left and several smaller ones in the vicinity.
M106 is at a distance of about 22 to 25 million light-years away from Earth.
It is suspected that part of the galaxy is falling into a supermassive black hole in it's center.
NGC 4217 is a possible companion galaxy of Messier 106. (WIKI)
Imaged with the Boren-Simon 8" F/2.8 POWERNEWT Astrograph.
SBIG ST8300 M camera & Filterwheel with BAADER LRGB FILTERS.
60 min of LUM bin 1x1
7 min per RGB bin 2x2
Total of 81 minutes of exposure.
Imaged from the NEGEV desert on Mar 30th 2011.