Seyfert galaxy M106

Messier 106 (also known as NGC 4258) is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici located about 22 to 25 million light-years away from Earth.  It is a classic example of a type II Seyfert galaxy with a bright compact core and tightly wound spiral arms.  In visible light Seyfert galaxies look very much like normal spiral galaxies but are highly energetic when observed at ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths.  They are intensely studied because they are thought to be powered in the same way as the more luminous and faraway quasars.

Right ascension: 12h 18m 57.4s | Declination: +47° 18' 25.6" | Distance: 22-25 Million Light Years
Field of view: 42 x 28 arcmin

Camera: SBIG ST-10XME
Telescope: APM 152-1200ED F/7.9
Guiding: Starlight Xpress Active Optics SXV-LF-AO
Mount: 10Micron GM1000 HPS
Filters: Astrodon Generation 2 Tru-Balance LRGB filters
Exposures: L 38 x 10 min, R 20 x 10 min, G 16 x 10 min, B 12 x 10 min
Total exposure: 14.3 hours
Scale: 1.15 arcsec/pixel
Image acquired: 7 nights in March / April / May over the years 2015-2017

Image capture with MaxIm DL, FocusMax, ACP; Image processed with MaxIm DL; PixInsight v1.8; Photoshop CC 2015