NGC 4945
Located 13 million light years away in Centaurus, NGC 4945 is a large spiral galaxy seen edge on from here. Sites of active star formation, known as HII regions, are seen in the image, appearing reddish pink. NGC 4945 has a brighter centre that likely harbours a supermassive black hole, which is devouring reams of matter and blasting energy out into space.
Imaged in LRGB and H alpha on the RiDK 500 at El Sauce, Obstech, Chile
Integration time: 31 hours
Image Processing: Mike Selby