NGC 1269 in Eridanus

by Terry Robison

Objects in field: NGC 1269

Equipment: RCOS 10" f/9.1 Carbon Tube Ritchey-Chrétien, SBIG STL-11000M

Integration: 13h 45m

This unusual galaxy has two names, NGC 1291 and NGC 1269. It can be located in the constellation of Eridanus and is about 33 million light-years away. It has two interesting features; the first must be the beautiful rings presented almost face-on. Another is that the galaxy contains an inner bar at its core. Two thin spiral arms making up the outer ring area have a blueish colouring that suggests…