NGC 253 is a very nice galaxy located in the southern constellation of Sculptor. It is both large (28'x7') and bright (mag. 7.1) and for these reasons it is a good photographic target. It is the brightest member of the Sculptor group of galaxies and was discovered by Caroline Herschel, the sister of William Herschel. NGC 253 is also one of the brightest galaxies beyond the Local Group. It is about 10 million light years away and is referred with the common names "Silver Coin Galaxy" and "Sculptor Galaxy". It appears elongated because we see it almost edge-on.