M106: Spiral Galaxy in Ursa Major

Imaged on 3/11/05
Scope: Takahashi MT160
Mount: Losmandy G-11
Camera/Autoguider: SXV-H9c; SBIG STV
Exposures 17 x 5 minutes
Site: Anza Borrego Desert
Temp: 40 degrees, calm, good seeing

M106 is locates 22 million light years away. The spiral arms end in bright blue knots, containing young star clusters dominated by very hot bright massive stars. These clusters are less than a few million years old.