NGC 1097

Combination of 3, 3 minute exposures.
SBIG ST-4 CCD, 300mm f/6 newtonian telescope at prime focus.

NGC 1097 is a moderately bright face-on, barred spiral galaxy in Fornax. It is easily visible as an elongated nebulous patch in an 8" telescope. In a 12" telescope, some structure is visible, with the galaxy appearing as a bright nucleus with an elongated bar on each end, and surrounded by a faint haze. Unfortunately the beautiful spiral arms are not visible in small to medium telescopes.

Combination of 3, 3 minute exposures.
Meade 416XTE CCD, 300mm f/6 newtonian telescope at prime focus.

The companion galaxy just above NGC 1097, is the 14.6 magnitude, NGC 1097A. It is faintly visibly in a 12" under dark skies.

Combination of 20, 3 minute exposures unfiltered.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD camera. 300mm f/6 newtonian telescope at prime focus.

Combination of 10, 3 minute exposures unfiltered.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.