NGC 5054 “Gem in Virgo”

NGC 5054 is a beautiful spiral galaxy in the Virgo constellation. The galaxy is small in the field of view at an apparent 4×2’. The galaxy has an irregular shape with two of the arms bending back around the galaxy. This small but relatively bright galaxy and allows a reasonable amount of detail and color to come through. This is amazing when you consider that the light from this galaxy has been travelling for 82 million years towards us. The dust lanes are quite evident, as are the star forming areas of the two major spiral arms. These are within the bluish regions of the arms. Its irregular shape suggests a possible interaction in the past.

The background is littered with hundreds of small galaxies. You can go to website to see wider version.

Imaged in LRGB on a Planewave CDK 1000 at El Sauce, Obstech, Chile

Integration Time: 28 hours

Copyright: Mark & Mike