[madbadgalaxyman (Robert)]

Originally Posted by glenc

Circinus is a spiral galaxy like our own Milky Way galaxy, located near the direction of the pointers to the southern cross constellation but 12 million light years away. The galaxy was discovered only in 1977 when Professor Ken Freeman at Mt Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatory noticed a smudge on a photographic plate. http://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/19...lactic-mystery
http://cdsads.u-strasbg.fr/abs/1977A%26A....55..445F

Thanks for these historical nuggets, Glen.

Our estimable IIS member, sjastro, has produced a really excellent Near infrared image of the Circinus Galaxy.

Here is a link to his image:
http://members.iinet.net.au/~sjastro/circinusnew.jpg