This is an interetsing example of a galaxy we are seeing right edge-on, a perspective which reveals the prominent dust lane which is very common in spiral galaxies, including our own wilky way. The galaxy discovered by William Herschel in 1784 is about 30 million light years away. The dust lane appears to be slightly s-shaped and contains tiny knobs indicative for vigorous star fomation more easily visible in professional images.

I took this 4hr18min picture right in the first night of the New Year 2017 at Hohe Wand. The air was a little bit less steady than 3 days before in Nöstach resulting in slightly fattier stars, but nevertheless the resolution of the picture across the entire field of view is resonably satisfying. It appears that I should not touch alignment of my 8" RC telescope anymore...