Object Information:	Messier 100  (NGC 4321),   Magnitude  -  9.3,   Spiral Galaxy Type - Sbc,   Constellation -  Coma Bernices,   Distance -  estimated to be approximately 65-70 million light years distant,   Size -  130,000 light years. This large spiral galaxy resides in the Coma-Virgo Galaxy Cluster, a large group of galaxies seen in the constellations of Virgo and Coma Bernices.  M100 lies approximately 65-70 million light years away and is slightly larger than our own Milky Way galaxy at 130,000 light years in diameter.  The bright knots in the spiral arms are large nebulae where star formation is actively taking place [or was taking place 65-70 million years ago when the light captured by my camera left M100].  It is interesting to remember that the light that was used to create this picture left M100 at about the time that the dinosaurs on earth suffered their mass extinction.  Also, note the numerous background galaxies seen in the frame.
Imaged at:	Upper Image:     Anza-Borrego Desert, San Diego County, California,   Elevation - 1500 feet,    Lower Image:     Near Desert Center, Riverside County, California;   Elevation - 900 feet
Equipment:	Upper Image:     Optics - RC Optical Systems 10" Ritchey-Chretien at f/9   Mount - Astro-Physics 1200 GTO   Camera - Santa Barbara Instrument Group (SBIG) ST-10XME   Lower Image:     Optics - Takahashi MT-200 at f/6,   Mount - Astro-Physics 1200 GTO,   Camera - Santa Barbara Instrument Group (SBIG) ST-10XME,
Exposure Information:	Upper Image:     February 7, 2008   Sum of 30 six minute images - total exposure time = 3 hours,     Lower image;     January 15, 2005   Sum of thirteen 360 second exposures - total exposure time = 78 minutes;
Camera Control Software:	CCD Soft ver 5,
Image Processing Software:	MIRA AP 7, Photoshop CS.

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