This very peculiar object lies in a field abundant in galaxies. Classed as a SO/SBa, this bright 10.7 magnitude object is large at 8.7 x 4 arcmins in size. It is nearly face on, with an inclination of only 6 degrees allowing us to view its unusual face. South is to the right in this image to fit the object squarely on the long dimension of the CCD. The Hickson galaxy group off to the right edge of the field was not planned, but surprised me in this frame when the image first came up. It is called Hickson 56, and the members range in brightness from 15.8 to 16.8th magnitude. The top galaxy, Hickson 56E is much redder than the rest, and is a class LB galaxy.

Instrument:  12.5" f/5 Home made Newtonian
Platform:  Astrophysics 1200 QMD
CCD Camera:  SBIG ST7E w/Enhanced Cooling
Exposure:  L(LRGB) = 60:20:20:36 (RGB Binned 2x2)
Filters:  RGB Tricolor
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing FMHW = 3 arcsec, Transparency 8/10
Outside Temperature:  0 C
CCD Temperature:  -35 C
Processing:  Maxim DL, Photoshop, AIP4WIN, PW Pro.