NGC 3521, also known as the Bubble Galaxy, is located about 35 Million light-years away in the constellation Leo. The galaxy has patchy, irregular spiral arms with dust, pink star forming regions and clusters of young blue stars. An interesting aspect of NGC 3521 is the bubble-like appearance that surrounds the core. These shells are likely tidal debris, streams of stars torn from satellite galaxies that have undergone mergers with NGC 3521 in the distant past.
NGC 3521
Telescope: 16″ f3.75 Dream Scope
Camera: FLI ML16803
Mount: ASA DDM85
Exposure: 6 hours (32x300s L + 12x300s each for RGB
Acquisition: February – March 2021
Location: Southern Alps, France
Wider FOV
Bart Delsaert - Astrophotography 