About this Object:
Messier 109 (also known as NGC 3992) is a barred spiral galaxy approximately 84 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. M109 can be seen southeast of the star Phecda. M109 has three satellite galaxies (UGC 6923, UGC 6940 and UGC 6969) and possibly might have more. These three galaxies are faint but visible below the main galaxy in this picture.

About this Photo:
Date(s): January 24, 2010
Location: From my driveway in Georgetown, Texas
Telescope: Celestron C925 @ F6.3
Mount: CGEM
Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider / Taurus Tracker III OAG
Camera: Canon 40D Modified
Filter: Zhumell Skyglow Filter
Exposure: 85 x 180s @ ISO1600 (4.2 Hrs total)
Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.75 Camera Control
Processing: ImagesPlus 3.75 – Darks,Flats,Bias
Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS3; Gradient Exterminator; Noise Ninja; Noel Carboni's Tools;
Temperature(s): 65º F