The Sculptor Galaxy, also known as the Silver Coin or Silver Dollar Galaxy, NGC 253, is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Sculptor. The Sculptor Galaxy is a starburst galaxy, which means that it is currently undergoing a period of intense star formation.The galaxy was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1783 during one of her systematic comet searches. About half a century later, John Herschel observed it using his 18-inch metallic mirror reflector at the Cape of Good Hope. He wrote, “very bright and large (24′ in length); a superb object…. Its light is somewhat streaky, but I see no stars in it except 4 large and one very small one, and these seem not to belong to it, there being many near…”
Imaging telescopes or lenses: Sky-Watcher 200/1200 reflector
Imaging cameras: Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi
Mounts: EQ6
Guiding telescopes or lenses: Tasco 60mm f/11.7 refractor
Guiding cameras: Philips Toucam
Software: DeepSkyStacker, photoshop
Filters: HUTECH IDAS LPS-P2-48
Resolution: 1921×1469
Dates: Dec. 2, 2011
Frames: 28×300″ bin 1×1
Integration: 2.3 hours
Avg. Moon age: 7.00 days
Avg. Moon phase: 45.90%
RA center: 11.889 degrees
DEC center: -25.312 degrees
Pixel scale: 1.369 arcsec/pixel
Orientation: 7.024 degrees
Field radius: 0.460 degrees
Locations: Adelaide, None
Author: spin_city