NGC 3344 is a stunning spiral galaxy located in the constellation Leo Minor, about 22.5 million light-years from Earth. It is classified as an intermediate spiral galaxy, meaning it has characteristics between a barred and an unbarred spiral galaxy. Its nearly face-on orientation provides a clear view of its well-defined spiral arms, which are rich in star-forming regions.
This galaxy was discovered by William Herschel on March 6, 1785. He cataloged it as part of his extensive survey of deep-sky objects.
NGC 3344 has a diameter of about 50,000 light-years, making it roughly half the size of the Milky Way. It contains a bright central region with a dense cluster of older stars, while its spiral arms showcase young, blue stars and glowing nebulae where new stars are forming. The galaxy also has an outer ring structure, possibly shaped by past interactions with other galaxies.
One of the remarkable aspects of NGC 3344 is that it is part of the Local Supercluster, the same vast galactic neighborhood that includes the Milky Way. However, it is relatively isolated, without large neighboring galaxies exerting significant gravitational influence.
Astronomers study NGC 3344 to understand star formation, galactic structure, and the evolution of spiral galaxies. Observations from the Hubble Space Telescope and other instruments have revealed details about its star clusters, gas clouds, and dark matter distribution.
NGC 3344 is a beautiful example of a spiral galaxy, offering insights into how galaxies form and evolve over time. Its relatively close distance makes it an excellent target for both professional and amateur astronomers.
Capture Details:
Telescope: Celestron Nexstar 8se
Filter: Optolong L-Pro
Camera: ZWO ASI294 MC Pro
Mount: Juwei-17
Total Time: 4 hours 17 minutes
Capture Software: N.I.N.A.
Guiding: PHD2, ZWO asi120mm mini
Processed in: PixInsight
Additional details on Astrobin.com.