This grand spiral galaxy was discovered by Lacaille in 1752. It is located on the Hydra-Centaurus border about 18 degrees south of Spica. This is one of the brightest galaxies of the southern sky, a magnificant system whose dynamic appearance conveys a strong impression of whirling motion. The two principal arms of the spiral pattern form a reversed letter "S", and there is a third fainter arm segment starting from the the barred nucleus and sweeping outward. - Burnham's Celestial Handbook
Equipment: SBIG ST-8300M with Baader LRGB filters in wheel, AP900 Mount, AP 152 f/9 Starfire Refractor.
Exposures: LRGB, 48,16,16,16 minutes
Processing with CCD Stack and Photoshop CS3
From Indiana, this is a challenging object, low on the southern horizon with average transparency and seeing.