Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Pisces (Psc)  ·  Contains:  M 74  ·  NGC 628
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M74, the Phantom Galaxy, Icarulus
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M74, the Phantom Galaxy

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
M74, the Phantom Galaxy, Icarulus
Powered byPixInsight

M74, the Phantom Galaxy

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Description

October 12-13-14, 2023

This is my first attempt at this target and the last image obtained with my Celestron 11 EdgeHD, now replaced by a 400 mm RC from Astrosib, currently being tested at the remote Astrocamp observatory (Spain).

M74 was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1780 and subsequently added to his catalogue by Charles Messier. It is a large face-on spiral galaxy in the equatorial constellation of Pisces. Because of its low surface brightness, it is considered to be the most difficult Messier object for amateur astronomers to observe and therefore called the “Phantom Galaxy”. I've added a few Ha sub-images to the LRGB to highlight the nebulae inside its blue arms.

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M74, the Phantom Galaxy, Icarulus