Lenticular Galaxy in Sextans
This galaxy is sometimes called the Spindle Galaxy, but I call it the Southern Spindle to distinguish it from the more famous Messier 102 (NGC 5866), which is also nicknamed the Spindle Galaxy. NGC 3115 is a lenticular (lens-shaped) galaxy seen edge-on. The bright central sections of this galaxy include a central bulge and very pointy arms, and these are surrounded by a fainter elliptical glow.
| Magnitude | 9.1 |
| Apparent Size | 7.1' x 3,0' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 32 million |
| Right Ascension | 10:05.2 |
| Declination | -07 43 |
Image details: Exposure times of 38 minutes luminance and 26 minutes each of red, green, and blue, taken with an SBIG STF-8300M imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/5.5.
April 2023