Messier 74 with its two distinct spiral arms presents a face on view of a "grand design spiral" Sc galaxy. Located in the constellation of Pisces at a distance of 30 million light years, the galaxy contains some 100 billion stars.
Discovered by Pierre Mechain in 1780, he reported it to Charles Messier to be included in his catalog.
Primary member of the small M74 galaxy group, three supernovas have been observed in the galaxy.
Image taken with the 80 mm refractor, and a monochrome ccd camera.