Centaurus A is a peculiar galaxy likely the result of a collision of 2 different types of galaxies.  From the northern hemisphere, this is a very difficult object due to its low altitude.  From the Biggs Observatory it reaches a maximum elevation above the horizon of only 17 degrees.  The glow around this object is not an artifact of processing, but billions of unresolved stars.  The stats are RA: 13h 25m 29.0s, Dec: -43° 01' 00", Mag: 7.8 (B), Size: 25.8'x20.0', Class: S0 pec.  

Optics:
Camera:
Exposure:

Celestron C11 F/6.0 (1680mm Focal Length)
SBIG ST10XME with Adaptive Optics
LRGB = 160:50:40:60 minutes

Date:
Location:
Imager:

April 6-7, 2005
Columbus, Texas
Kent E. Biggs