Date: 11/3/2013
Target: M74 - The Phantom Galaxy
Telescope:
Orion 8" f/4.9
Multi-Purpose Coma Corrector
JMI EV-1n Focuser
Resurfaced: Spectrum Coatings Max "R" (EAL)
Camera: ST-8300M
Exposures L:R:G:B = 200:60:60:60
Framing: North is Up
Location: Mocksville, NC
Seeing: 3/5
Transparency: 4/5
Start Time: 9:00PM
End Time: 3:00AM
Captured with Sequence Generator Pro, processed with PixInsight.


From Wikipedia
Messier 74 (also known as NGC 628) is a face-on spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces. The galaxy contains two clearly-defined spiral arms and is therefore used as an archetypal example of a Grand Design Spiral Galaxy.[4] The galaxy's low surface brightness makes it the most difficult Messier object for amateur astronomers to observe.[5][6]However, the relatively large angular size of the galaxy and the galaxy's face-on orientation make it an ideal object for professional astronomers who want to study spiral arm structure and spiral density waves.