NGC 986 is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation of Fornax, located about 56 million light-years away. It is a small target and is not imaged often. The galaxy contains two large, extended and slightly warped arms that begin at each end of the central bar.

Young blue stars are spread through the arms and the core of the galaxy glows with star formation surrounded by numerous dust lanes.

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

Image Processing: Mike Selby