Skymonsters

Astrophotography by Nicola Montecchiari

M106

Galaxy M106
Date/Place2025-03-04 at Elijah Observatory
CoordinatesAR 12h 18m 41s DEC 47° 15'18"
InstrumentGSO RC10 Truss
CameraQSI583wsg
IntegrationL: 56 x 600 sec.
RGB: 30 x 600 sec.
CommentIt is a majestic intermediate spiral galaxy located approximately 23.5 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. Notably classified as a Seyfert II galaxy, it features an extremely active nucleus powered by a central supermassive black hole. Beyond its standard spiral structure, M106 is famous for its two "extra" anomalous arms composed of hot gas, which are thought to be caused by high-energy jets erupting from the galactic center rather than the distribution of stars.