M109 is a Hubble Class SBb barred spiral galaxies. Barred spiral galaxies have a bar extending from the central hub and the spiral arm trail from the ends of the bar, like streamers on bicycle handle bars. M109 lies approximately 85 light-years from Earth. Exposures: L:R:G:B=400:100:100:100 minutes=11 hours 40 minutes total exposure at f/8.3. 

This image was selected as Astronomy Picture of the Day on Astronomy.com.