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About the image: This is a true colour image of NGC2930, a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation of Leo. It is approximately 100,000 light years in diameter, making it slightly smaller than our own Milkyway. NGC2903 is around 30.4 million light years from earth and is a member of the Virgo super cluster of galaxies. The galaxy was first discovered by German astronomer William Herschel in 1784, initially he mistook it for a double nebula, however it wasn't until the nineteenth century that is was correctly identified as a barred spiral galaxy (SBbc) by the Third Earl of Rosse. Annotated image version: (Click image to open full size)
Where in the sky is it?
NGC 2930 can be found in the constellation of Leo, just below the star Alterf, in the head of the lion. (Click image to open full size)
