M-74 in Pisces 
M-74 is a medium sized but dim galaxy.  You see it almost face on, but at magnitude  10.0 you probably need at lease a 6-inch scope.  It's surface brightness is very dim at magnitude 13.7 (Similar to the planet Pluto).  This makes it a difficult object to view or image unless you have very dark skies.   You probably can see the central core as a slightly fuzzy star, somewhat like the appearance in the wide field film image.
    Constellation:  Pisces

    Size:  10.5 x 9.5 arcmin 

    Magnitude:  10.0

    Surface Brightness:  13.7

    RA:  01h 36m 41.7s

    Dec: 15 d 47m 00s

M-74 is the faint patch of light just left of center.    East West FOV is about 1.4 degrees.  Limiting magnitude of this image is about 12.

 Scope:  90 mm Orion MAK 500
Nikon Film Back w/ Kodak MAX 800 Film
Focal ratio:  f5.5
Exposure:  40 min

This image was taken 9 Feb 2002, at about zero hours UT.  I measured the brightness with the Astro Art Photometry routine as magnitude 12.0.
Scope:  8" LX 200 SCT
MX-5C CCD Camera, IDAS LPR Filter & STAR 2000
Focal Ratio: f4.8
Exposure:  50 min

Click Here for Larger Image
Scope:  8" LX 200 SCT
MX-5C CCD Camera, IDAS LPR Filter & STAR 2000
Focal Ratio: f10
Exposure:  120 min

Comparing this image with the one above it shows the difference exposure can make on a dim galaxy.  The longer exposure picks up much fainter areas of the galaxy and more detail in the dust lanes and knots.

 
Scope:  8" LX 200 SCT
M-5C CCD Camera
Focal Ratio: f10
Exposure:  45 min
Link to SEDS M-74 Page

Link to Gemini Observatory image of M-74
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