Dust lanes
Dark bands cross the bright disk. Dust blocks some of the starlight behind it, creating these contrasting lanes.
Behind the photograph
From collected light to a finished image.
My processing toolkit includes Siril, SETI Astro Suite / Cosmic Clarity, and Affinity Photo. This comparison shows the supplied FITS preview alongside my finished gallery image.
Start with the data
The FITS preview makes a starting point for looking at the galaxy and its surrounding star field.
Look for structure
Compare the dark lanes, faint outer light and bright centre. Each responds differently to changes in contrast.
See the finished edit
Move the comparison slider to explore the changes in brightness and colour across the same field.