When I look at the amazing objects in the cosmos, I can’t seem to stop my imagination from racing at times. This galaxy particular is a prime example as it certainly has a lot going on. I have to admit, this certainly took a long time to arrive with a rendition that I felt was the best I could do at this time. It almost appears on fire with smoke rising above. Like a massive intergalactic craft approaching for landing. In my mind, I can see two search-lights below, and above the disk, the cavitation of gases producing a smoke-like appearance. Perhaps I should slow down on the coffees
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NGC 3521 is classified as a flocculent galaxy. They have a patchy or fluffy look about them. About 30 percent of spiral galaxies are flocculent, and about 10 percent are grand design. The remaining are referred to as multi-armed.
NGC 3521 is only 26 million light-years away in the constellation of Leo. It has a trace of a bar structure and a weak inner ring. Its centre contains an HII region, classifying it as HII LINER.
Gigantic bubble like shells are present around the galaxy. They are likely to be the result of tidal debris, streams of stars that have been ripped away from satellite galaxies in the distant past.
Instruments Used:
10 Inch RCOS fl 9.1
Astro Physics AP-900 Mount
SBIG STL 11000m
FLI Filter Wheel
Astrodon Lum, Red, Green, Blue Filters
Baader Planetarium H-alpha 7nm Narrowband-Filter
Exposure Details:
Lum 92 X 900 seconds
Ha 38 X 900 seconds
Blue 38 X 450 seconds
Green 16 X 450 seconds
Red 30 X 450 seconds
Total time 43 Hours
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