M104

The dark lane you see through the center of this galaxy is dark matter. Our own galaxy has similar dark matter spread throughout the disk. Look up on a clear summer night at the Milky Way (if you can get away from the city light). You will see a similar dark rift through our very own glactic disk. This galaxy is a delight to observe. Unlike many photographed celestial objects, this one shows best in an amateur telescope.

C11 at F6.3, Kodak RG 100 film, 30 minute exposure