Messier 74, also known as NGC 628, is a stunning spiral galaxy located about 32 million light-years away in the constellation Pisces. It is often referred to as the “Phantom Galaxy” due to its low surface brightness, making it somewhat challenging to observe from Earth. Messier 74 is an excellent example of a “grand design” spiral galaxy, showcasing two prominent and well-defined spiral arms. These arms are rich with star-forming regions, glowing with bright clusters and nebulae. With a diameter of approximately 95,000 light-years, it’s a bit smaller than the Milky Way. The galaxy hosts billions of stars and is known for a high number of supernovae observations.
Telescope: 16″ f3.75 Dream Scope
Camera: FLI ML16803
Mount: ASA DDM85
Exposure: 10.5 hours (3x24x300s RGB + 52x300s L)
Date: November 2024
Location: Southern Alps, France
Bart Delsaert - Astrophotography 