About this Object:
Messier 96 (also known as NGC 3368) is an intermediate spiral galaxy about 31 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. M96 is the brightest galaxy within the M96 Group, a group of galaxies in the constellation Leo which also includes the Messier objects M95 and M105, as well as at least nine other galaxies. The M96 galaxy has asymmetric arms and a displaced core, probably caused by the gravitational pull by the other nearby galaxies.

About this Photo:
Date(s): April 6, 2011
Location: From my driveway in Georgetown, Texas
Telescope: Celestron C9.25 @ F10
Mount: HEQ-5
Guiding: Orion StarShoot AutoGuider / Taurus Tracker III OAG
Camera: Canon 40D Modified
Filter: Astronomik CLS
Exposure: 12 x 600s @ ISO1600 (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; Annie’s Astro Actions
Temperature(s): 65º F