NGC 891 

SPIRAL GALAXY IN ANDROMEDA

 (Image Centred at ra 02h:22m / dec +42:21)

Image data acquired by Jim Misti, Image processing by Sergio Eguivar

Arizona, USA

DATA

Type: Spiral Galaxy

Apparent Magnitude:10

Apparent diameter: 13.5 x 2.8 arc minutes 

Distance: 30 Million light years

IMAGE INFORMATION

Optics: Ritchey-Chretien 32" f 7.2 Telescope

CAMERA: SBIG STL 11000  

SKY CONDITIONS: Dark Skies

EXPOSURES: LRGB (95,30,30,30)

OBJECT DESCRIPTION AND IMAGE SESSION

NGC 891 is an edge-on unbarred spiral galaxy about 30 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda. It was discovered by William Herschel on October 6, 1784. The galaxy is a member of the NGC 1023 group of galaxies in the Local Super cluster. It has an H II nucleus. The object is visible in small to moderate size telescopes as a faint elongated smear of light with a dust lane visible in larger apertures.

NGC 891 looks as the Milky Way would look like when viewed edge-on (some astronomers have even noted how similar to NGC 891 our galaxy looks as seen from the Southern Hemisphere and, in fact, both galaxies are considered very similar in terms of luminosity and size. Studies of the dynamics of its molecular hydrogen have also proven the likely presence of a central bar. Despite this, recent high-resolution images of its dusty disk show unusual filamentary patterns. These patterns are extending into the halo of the galaxy, away from its galactic disk. Scientists presume that supernova explosions caused this interstellar dust to be thrown out of the galactic disk toward the halo.

From the southern skies at declination + 42º NGC 891 is very difficult to image. Although images can be taken from dark locations, I choose the opportunity of processing this image coming from top notch equipment and beautiful northern skies.

Thanks Jim !!