M108 through Ha filter

M108, a little small due to the focal length of the telesscope used, taken through a Hydrogen Alpha filter. M108 is an Sc spiral galaxy with an interesting and complex structure located about 45 million light years distant in the constellation of Ursa Major. It has a visual magnitude of 10, despite which it is quite easy to spot in small telescopes. M108 was formally discovered by P. Mechain (Messier's assistant) on 19 February 1781. Messier gave this object a preliminary listing of 98 but it did not form part of his published catalogue at the time. It was classified as M108 and formally added to the Messier catalog in 1953 by O. Gingerich.