NGC-404

NGC-404 is a very isolated dwarf lenticular galaxy located in the constellation of Andromeda, only 7 arc minutes NW of the yellow 2nd magnitude star Beta Andromedae (Mirach). The glare from Mirach makes visual observation of NGC-404 somewhat difficult, even though the galaxy is fairly bright (11th magnitude). On the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS) photographic plate, NGC-404 is imbedded in the glare from Mirach.
This proximity has led to NGC-404 being nicknamed "The Ghost of Mirach". It was discovered by Sir William Herschel in 1784. NGC-404 lies 10 million light years from Earth.
This image, acquired on September 5, 2021, is a 50 minute integration of 4 minute exposures through the Celestron C-11 at f/6.3, using the Starizona Reducer/Corrector III and the ZWO ASI 2600MC Pro color CMOS camera, operating at -15 degrees below ambient temperature and binned 1 X 1. Guided, captured and combined using Maxim DL5 Pro. Post processed using PhotoShop CS2, Gradient XTerminator, StarShrink, Carboni's Astro Tools and NoiseWare.