M96
NGC 3368


1 minute exposure, SBIG ST-7E CCD.
8" f/6.3 schmidt-cassegrain at prime focus.

M96 is a large and bright, barred spiral galaxy in Leo. It is easily visible in an 8" telescope as a circular patch of light with a bright centre. Visible in the same low-power field is the slightly brighter spiral galaxy, M95. Both of these galaxies are outlying members of the Virgo cluster of galaxies.


Combination of 2, 5 minute exposures, Meade 416XT CCD.
8" f/6 newtonian at prime focus.


Combination of 15, 3 minute exposures, SBIG ST-9E CCD.
16" f/10 schmidt-cassegrain with f/6.3 focal reducer under very poor skies.