NGC 55


Combination of 145, 30 second images taken in bright moonlight.
Modified Canon Digital Rebel DSLR camera. 5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.

NGC 55 is a beautiful, edge-on galaxy in southern Sculptor. It is one of the brighter members of the Sculptor group of galaxies that includes the more well known NGC 253. NGC 55 is not well known to northern hemisphere observers due to its southern location. It is easily visible in 50mm binoculars, while in an 8" telescope, it appears as a thin line that is noticeably brighter in its western regions. There is some debate as to the classification of M55. Generally it is considered to be an irregular galaxy, however some catalogues classify it as a spiral.


317 second exposure. Modified Canon Digital Rebel DSLR camera.
5" f/5 refractor at prime focus.