IC 4633 - Galaxy and Nebula in the constellation Apus

This image shows the two brighter galaxies IC 4633 and IC 4635 in the southern constellation Apus (Bird of Paradise). The scene is crossed by fine, large-scale dust structures of the galactic cirrus, extending predominantly across the left half of the frame.

Particularly striking is the way the cirrus partially obscures the western outskirts of IC 4633, while the brighter central region of the galaxy remains visible through a gap in the dust. The delicate filaments consist of interstellar dust that reflects and scatters the diffuse light of countless stars in the Milky Way.

Chosen as Amateur Astronomy Photo of the Day on 10. August 2025.

larger image
Date:26.05.-30.05.2025
Optics: Planewave CDK 14 with Televue 0.8x reducer
Aperture: 350 mm
Focal Length: 2050 mm
Camera: QHY268M
Exposure: L:R:G:B 60:30:30:30 x 600 s
Location: Gemsbock Observatory, Rooisand Desert Ranch, Namibia
Processing: PixInsight, Photoshop
Diameter:145,000 light years
Distance:125 million light years
annotated image
image field in the sky