I totally agree that this an
excellent non-infrared image of the Circinus Galaxy. It is far better than DSS2.
The outer regions of Circinus Galaxy seem to fuzz out due to the high foreground extinction from our own Galaxy.
A attach the J+H+K bands (near-infrared) composite from the 2MASS infrared survey:
These were very short exposures, and the angular resolution was very limited. The outer parts of this galaxy are still barely visible in this NIR image.
Here is an image of the centre of the Circinus Galaxy, taken with the Hubble Space Telescope and reproduced at low resolution. The top panel is H-alpha (nebular light only)(that is, line emission ONLY) and the bottom panel is I-band (broadband optical light) :
There is a very bright ring of H-alpha emitting regions in the central part of this galaxy. There is also a cone of H-alpha emission; which is gas that is being pushed out of the active centre of this galaxy.
There follows another image of the central part of this galaxy. This image is of uncertain origin. I believe it was probably taken with the NTT, at ESO.
cheers,
madbadgalaxyman