NGC 2903

NGC 2903 is an isolated barred spiral galaxy in the constellation of Leo. It was discovered by German-born astronomer William Herschel, who catalogued it on November 16, 1784. He mistook it as a double nebula, as did subsequent observers, and it wasn't until the nineteenth century that the Third Earl of Rosse resolved it into a spiral form.  J. L. E. Dreyer assigned it the identifiers 2903 and 2905 in his New General Catalogue; NGC 2905 now designates a luminous knot in the northeastern spiral arm.

This galaxy is located about 30 million light-years away from the Milky Way, and is a member of the Virgo Supercluster. NGC 2903 is the brightest galaxy in Leo.

Galaxy NGC 2903. 18 February 2025, , Kempen, William Optics APO 110 mm, f/7, ASI1600mm pro, gain 139, T = -10C .

Composite of 4 broadband filters: L (UV-IR cut):  5400 s, R: 1800 s, G: 2040 s, B: 1800 s

Image processing with PixInsight V.1.8.9