[TrevorW]

Target: NGC253 Sculptor Galaxy
Camera: Canon 350d modified, Astronomik CLS clip filter
Exposure Capture: DLSR Focus
Scope: GSO CF RC200
EFR: f/8
Mount: EQ6 Pro
Exposure Setting: Prime focus, ISO800 ICNR off Daylight WB
Exposures: 23 x 330s lights taken between 8:00 and 11:00pm 14/10/09
Seeing: no moon
Guiding: Orion Starshoot Autoguider using PHD with ED80
Focus: DSLR Focus
Stacking: DSS no darks or flats
Processing: PS CS3

Right Ascension 00 : 47.6 (h:m)
Declination -25 : 17 (deg:m)
Distance 10000.0 (kly)
Visual Brightness 7.1 (mag)
Apparent Dimension 25 x 7 (arc min)
Discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1783.
NGC 253 is the brightest member of the Sculptor group of galaxies, which is grouped around the South galactic pole (therefore, also sometimes named "South Polar Group"). The Sculptor group is perhaps the nearest to our Local Group of galaxies. NGC 253 is also one of the brightest galaxies beyond the Local Group. The RASC Observer's Handbook gives the common name Silver Coin Galaxy for NGC 253; it is also referred to as the Sculptor Galaxy.
NGC 253 was one of the major discoveries of Caroline Herschel, the sister of William Herschel. She discovered this object on September 23, 1783 with "an excellent small Newtonian Sweeper" of 27 inches focal length and a power of 30 (William Herschel's description), and added it to her list as No. 10. William Herschel included it in his catalog as No. V.1.