Messier 77 is one of the brightest galaxies and is visible through almost any telescope but it is over 60 million light years from us (300 million trillion miles).  M77 is a Seyfert Type II galaxy meaning that enormous gas clouds are expanding away from the center of the galaxy at several 100 km / sec.  Its bright center is also a source of radio emissions.  Note the faint outer arms that are only visible in long exposures.  The stats for M77 are RA: 02h 42m 40.2s, Dec: -00° 00' 48", Mag: 9.6 (B), Size: 7.1'x6.0', Class: (R)SA(rs)b.
 

Optics:
Camera:
Exposure:

Celestron C11 F/10 (2800mm Focal Length)
SBIG ST10XME with Adaptive Optics
LRGB = 120:40:40:40 minutes

Date:
Location:
Imager:

Nov 5-6, 2004
Columbus, Texas
Kent E. Biggs