NGC 1313 is a field galaxy, a galaxy that does not belong to a larger galaxy group or cluster and hence is gravitationally alone. It is classified as a late type barred spiral galaxy 21 million light years away in the constellation of Reticulum.
The galaxy has multiple dispersed regions of star formation without the apparent normal trigger of gravitational interaction or spiral processes that usual are causal to this type of star formation.
Despite being a field galaxy, NGC 1313 appears highly disturbed in the visual spectrum; However radio telescope observations show the galaxy to be hydrogen rich which is the material for star formation. The gas circulates around the center of the galaxy in a well-ordered way, rather than what is observed in visible light.
Imaged in LRGB and H alpha on my Planewave CDK 1000 and CDK 700 at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile.
Image Acquisition and Processing: Mike Selby
www.throughlightandtime.com
www.instagram.com/throughlightandtime/
www.facebook.com/masterdarksastro/