Panning across the spiral galaxy NGC 247

This sequence gives a close-up view of the spiral galaxy NGC 247 and its rich backdrop. This picture was taken using the Wide Field Imager (WFI) at ESO’s La Silla Observatory in Chile. NGC 247 is about 11 million light-years away in the constellation of Cetus (The Whale). Through a moderate-sized amateur telescope this galaxy appears quite large, but dim, and needs a dark sky to be seen well.