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"The sky is the ultimate art gallery just above us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 82)
Astrophotography by Jason Jennings

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Galaxies :: M83


M83

 

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         Object M83 - Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
         Comment The Southern Pinwheel galaxy (M83) is located in the constellation Hydra and is a member of the Centaurus group of galaxies. M83 is classified between a normal and barred spiral galaxy based on its characteristics. The immense structure of the arms contain various blue and red knots of star clusters and diffused gaseous (HII) regions respectively. The faint arc to the left of M83 is known as a stellar tidal stream. The stream is a remnant from a gravitational disruption of a smaller, merging satellite galaxy and was found in the mid 1990s by enhancing photographic plates. M83 is the southern most galaxy in Messier's catalogue and is approximately 15,000 light years distant.

Image is a L[R+HA]GB composite.
         Optics Modified ASA N16 Astrograph F/3.5 (1420mm FL)
         Camera Apogee Aspen CG16070 - 1x1 bin (image scale: 1.07 arcsec/pix)
         Mount Software Bisque Paramount ME
         Exposure Total exposure time: 5.5 hours
         Date July 2015

 

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