Full Frame @ 50% of full size

The bright central region of this galaxy is only about 3 arc min in diameter but the extensive
and very faint complex blue outer arms, revealed in this deep exposure, extend the the size of
the galaxy out to 14 arc min across. At an estimated distance of 75 Million light years, this
makes the true size of this galaxy a gigantic 300,000 light yrs across or more than twice the
size of our own Milky Way galaxy!

Orion Optics AG12 F3.8
Starlightxpress SXVF-H694, SX USB CFW, SX OAG unit + Atlas Focuser
LHaRGB = 690 60 90 100 100min = 17hrs 20min total exposure (bin 1X1) Astronomik filters
-20C chip temp, no darks, no flats
Focal length 1120mm
Image scale 0.84"/pix
Guide Camera: Starlightxpress Loadstar

Comments
Taken over 4 nights
Clear, new to first 1/4 moon, variable seeing from poor to good

Equipment setup:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/151108788/original

Some links to equipment used to take this image:

Orion Optics UK

http://www.orionoptics.co.uk/

StarlightXpress CCD Cameras and imaging equipment

http://www.sxccd.com/products

Finger Lakes Instrumentation CCD cameras:

http://www.flicamera.com/

Astro Shop (Aus)

http://www.astroshop.com.au/

Astro-Elecronic FS2 scope GOTO controller:

http://www.astro-electronic.de/

Gerd Neumann and Astronomik filters:

http://www.astronomik.com/en/home

http://www.gerdneumann.net/

MSB Software & Astroart 5

http://www.msb-astroart.com/

Catseye Collimation

http://www.catseyecollimation.com/

STAR Atlas:PRO planetarium software:

http://www.staratlaspro.com/