Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Pisces (Psc)  ·  Contains:  M 74  ·  NGC 628
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M74 The Phantom Galaxy!, Spaced Out Bill
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M74 The Phantom Galaxy!

Revision title: M74 Re- Processed adding Drizzled data.

Acquisition type: Electronically-Assisted Astronomy (EAA, e.g. based on a live video feed)
Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
M74 The Phantom Galaxy!, Spaced Out Bill
Powered byPixInsight

M74 The Phantom Galaxy!

Revision title: M74 Re- Processed adding Drizzled data.

Acquisition type: Electronically-Assisted Astronomy (EAA, e.g. based on a live video feed)

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Description

Messier 74 (also known as NGC 628 and Phantom Galaxy) is a large spiral galaxy in the equatorial constellation Pisces. It is about 32 million light-years away from Earth. The galaxy contains two clearly defined spiral arms and is therefore used as an archetypal example of a grand design spiral galaxy. The galaxy's low surface brightness makes it the most difficult Messier object for amateur astronomers to observe. Its relatively large angular (that is, apparent) size and the galaxy's face-on orientation make it an ideal object for professional astronomers who want to study spiral arm structure and spiral density waves. It is estimated that M74 hosts about 100 billion stars.

Comments

Revisions

  • M74 The Phantom Galaxy!, Spaced Out Bill
    Original
  • M74 The Phantom Galaxy!, Spaced Out Bill
    B
  • Final
    M74 The Phantom Galaxy!, Spaced Out Bill
    C

B

Title: M74- 5 nights, 12.5 hours of data

Description: This is M74. It is about 32 million light-years away from Earth. The picture was taken over five nights in a El Cerrito back yard.

Uploaded: ...

C

Title: M74 Re- Processed adding Drizzled data.

Uploaded: ...

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M74 The Phantom Galaxy!, Spaced Out Bill