NGC 404


Combination of 15, 1 minute images unfiltered.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

NGC 404 is a fairly small and moderately bright elliptical galaxy in Andromeda. It is sometimes known as "The Ghost of Mirach" as it is situated less than 7 arc minutes from that star. The close proximity of the very bright Mirach can make it a challenge to observe with a small telescope, and an even bigger challenge to image. Even though Mirach is some distance outside the field in the above image, the diffraction spike and glow from the star are still visible at the bottom of the image.