This object is a spiral galaxy located light 30 million light-years away in the constellation of Andromeda at a declination of +42 degrees. This galaxy spans 12 arc-minutes in our apparent view, which corresponds to a diameter of 100,000 light-years. Our view is interesting because we see it from a perspective which is only 6 degrees from edge-on. This galaxy is believed to be similar in size and overall shape to our own Milky Way galaxy.
My favorite part of this object is the magnificent wide dust lane which obscures the centerline of the galaxy. These dust clouds are enormous and extend hundreds of light-years above and below the center line. The wide dust lane is measurably darker in the center and bottom of the image than it is towards the top of the image. I like how the dust at galaxy center accentuates the golden glow of the galaxy core behind it.
This galaxy is nicknamed the Outer Limits Galaxy because it is one of the galaxies shown in the credits of the Outer Limits TV show which aired from 1963-1965. It is also the 23rd object in the
Caldwell Catalog.
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