Hickson 44, a group of interacting galaxies in the constellation Leo, lies approximately 80 million light years from Earth. NGC 3190, the largest galaxy just right of center, is a spiral galaxy seen almost edge on. Its characteristic dust lane is its most prominent feature. To its lower left is NGC 3187, a barred spiral galaxy, and to the upper left is NGC 3185, another barred spiral with a smaller bar. To the right is NGC 3193, an elliptical galaxy. The galaxies in Hickson 44 are close enough that they interact with each other gravitationally. This causes the individual galaxies to become distorted and in some cases even share material. If you look closely, you may notice a faint halo around NGC 3190.
Hickson 44
Telescope: 16″ f3.75 Dream Scope
Camera: FLI ML16803
Mount: ASA DDM85
Exposure: 8.5 hours (54x300s L + 3x16x300s RGB)
Date: March 2019
Location: Southern Alps, France
Hickson 44 in a wider field of view
Bart Delsaert - Astrophotography 