5 minute exposure, Meade 416xt CCD.
8" f/6 newtonian telescope at prime focus.
NGC 5044 is a bright elliptical galaxy in Virgo, situated about 5 degrees south and 1 degree west of Spica. It is a member of the Virgo cluster of galaxies. In an 8" telescope it appears as a bright circular patch of light, slightly brighter in the centre. Numerous fainter galaxies are visible in the image, the brightest of which are 13.0 magnitude NGC 5049 (spiral, lower left) and the 13.7 magnitude NGC 5046 (elliptical, upper left).