Spiral Galaxy NGC 1232
Description:
At over 60 million light years away NGC 1232 is nearly a
perfect example of a face on spiral galaxy. It does have a
hint of a bar struction in the center or even a ring as the
spiral arms do not reach all the way to the galactic core.
An explosion of star formation is happening along the arms with
billions of middle aged stars forming the whitish glow between
and beyond the arms. Also note the much smaller companion
galaxy PGC 11834 to the upper left of this image. At -20
degrees declination it only reaches 40 degrees above the horizon
here in southeast Texas. Stats for this galaxy are RA: 03h
09m 45.3s, Dec: -20° 34' 52", Mag: 10.5 (B), Size: 7.4'x6.4',
and Class: SAB(rs)c.
| Optics: |
RC Optical System 20" F/8.2 (4165.6 mm Focal Length) |
Date: |
October 2011 |
| Camera: |
SBIG ST10XME with Adaptive Optics |
Location: |
Columbus, Texas |
| Exposure: |
LRGB = 500:80:80:100 minutes |
Imager: |
Kent E. Biggs |
