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The distorted dusty galaxy NGC 3628 is a member of the famous Leo Triplet.
16" cassegrain in secondary focus at f/10
About this Image
Lying at a distance of some 35 million light years, it also is probably physically related to the M 96 group.
A conspicuous band of dark dust clouds form a broad equatorial band, which obscures the galaxy's bright central region, and hides most of the bright young stars in its spiral arms.
The dust band, or belt, is obviously distorted and deformed in the outer regions of the galaxy.
The reason for this deformation is evidently the gravitational interaction with its two bright neighbors, M 65 and M 66.
Find an article on quasars apparently associated with NGC 3628 here: 1.
Technical Details
Optics
Mount
MK-100 GEM
Camera
SBIG STL-11000M at -20C, 8-pos filter wheel
Filters
Baader LRGB
Date
Apr 12-14, 2009.
Location
Wildon/Austria
Sky Conditions
mag 5 sky, raw FWHM 1.9-2.4", temperature 10-15 C
Exposure
L:R:G:B = 320:80:80:80 minutes (20 minute sub-exposures),
Programs used
Maxim DL 4.5;
CCDStack
Fitsliberator
Photoshop CS3
North is to the top-right side;