About this Object:
Messier 74 (also known as NGC 628) is a face-on spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces. It is at a distance of about 32 million light-years away from Earth. The galaxy contains two clearly defined spiral arms and is therefore used as an archetypal example of a Grand Design Spiral Galaxy. The galaxy's low surface brightness makes it the most difficult Messier object for amateur astronomers to observe. However, the relatively large angular size of the galaxy and the galaxy's face-on orientation make it an ideal object for professional astronomers who want to study spiral arm structure and spiral density waves. It is estimated that M74 is home to about 100 billion stars.

About this Photo:
Date(s): November 17, 2012
Location: From my driveway in Georgetown, Texas
Telescope: Astrotech AT8RC @ F8
Mount: CGEM
Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider / Orion ST-80
Camera: Canon 40D Modified
Filter: AT2FF Field Flattener
Exposure: 14 x 300s + 8 x 600s @ ISO1600 (150 Min total)
Acquisition: ImagesPlus 3.75 Camera Control
Processing: ImagesPlus 3.75 – Darks,Flats,Bias
Post-processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Gradient Exterminator, Noel Carboni’s Astronomy Tools
Temperature(s): 45º F