NGC 3521

NGC 3521 (PGC 33550) is a flocculent intermediate spiral galaxy in Leo. Its morphological classification is SAB(rs)bc which means that it is a spiral galaxy with a trace bar structure (SAB), a weak inner ring (rs), and a moderate to loosely wound arm structure (bc).

I obtained the calibrated lights frames used to create the final image from Telescope Live. The frames were imaged by the CHI-1-CMOS Telescope at the El Sauce Observatory in Chile.

I observed this galaxy on 24 February 2017 at the General Nathan Twining Observatory (GNTO) in New Mexico using a 12” Skywatcher Dobsonian. I used a 10mm Delos eyepiece (149.4 magnification). My observation was: “Large and bright with a bright core this galaxy was easily spotted. It is an oval oriented north-south.”

Visual magnitude: +9.00
Apparent size: 8.3 x 4.5 arcmin
Distance: 40 Mly
Diameter: 87.8 kly