Galaxy M77

Astrophotography by David Gares

Galaxy M77

M77 is actually one of the largest Messier galaxies. It's also one of the most remote. This photo is unremarkable and underexposed, but M77 is special because I could actually see it in the 10" scope from the city. That makes it a pretty rare find. There's something special about seeing an object 352.7 quintillion miles away in the eyepiece (a quintillion is a billion billions).

Galaxy M77
(Click image to enlarge)

Object Details:

Type: Spiral Galaxy
Constellation:  Cetus
Distance:  60 million light-years
Diameter:  170,000 light-years

Image Details:

Date: Nov. 29, 2003
Site: Harahan, LA
Exposure: CCD, 4 x 5 min.
Filters: Orion SkyGlow LPR
Processing: MSB Astroart 3.0
Telescope: 10" Meade LX200
Reducer: Meade, f/3.3
CCD: Starlight Express MX7C
Autoguider: S.T.A.R. 2000