Messier 61 also known as NGC 4303 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo, and is a part of the Virgo cluster of galaxies. It was first discovered by Barnabus Oriani May 5th, 1779.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_61

ABOUT THE IMAGE

DATE/TIME:  The evenings of April 15th-27th, 2012.

CAMERA:  Canon XSI, 450Dm

TELESCOPE:  Orion 100mm ED refractor @ F/18.

ISO SETTING:  800

EXPOSURES:  12

EXPOSURE LENGTH:  600sec.

TOTAL EXPOSURE LENGTH:  2hrs.

SUBTRACTIONS:  10 darkframes, 10 bias frames, 20 flat frames.

CAPTURE SOFTWARE:  MaximDL

STACKING SOFTWARE:  Deep Sky Stacker

PROCESSING:  Photoshop CS3