ARP 218 and ARP 322

[Avdhoeven]

This project I'm currently working on. Tomorrow I hope to be able to take some imagery under really dark skies...

Exposures:

34 x 300s UV/IR-cut

19 x 1200s UHC-S

Although circumstances from my location are far from perfect for galaxy photography because of light pollution the image still shows lots of small and faint objects.

In total 185 small galaxies are visible.

The image here shows an annotated, inverted version showing these galaxies:

The larger galaxy is called NGC 3718 or ARP 214, number 214 of the Arp Peculiar Galaxy catalogue. To the right of ARP 214 another ARP object can be seen, ARP 322, aka Hickson 56 galaxy chain.

Another remarkable chain of galaxies, Hickson 56 in Ursa Major, is situated just 7′ south of the barred spiral NGC 3718. This compact group has several catalogue designations including UGC 6527, VV 150, Markarian 176 and Arp 322. The UGC notes describe Hickson 56 as “a nonlinear chain of 4 galaxies.” These four are connected and cover a length of 90″ = 48kpc. The fifth galaxy is about 65″ from the nearest member of the chain and is possibly at the same distance.” Photographs reveal all five members with the central trio appearing as a linked chain, but visually splitting apart the members will challenge experienced deep-sky aficionados.

At 100x, this compact group merged into a faint elongated glow just 1′ in length, elongated roughly east-west in a 3:1 ratio. Upping the power to 220x resolved a pair of “knots”; 56b at the east end and 56c at the west side. Hickson 56a is the largest member of the group but this low surface brightness edge-on required close attention. The observers using Lord Rosse’s 72-inch Leviathan in Parsonstown, Ireland examined the field of NGC 3718 four times between 1852 and 1868 and missed this galaxy chain so just detecting this group is a satisfying experience. (Source: Steve Gottlieb)

[Gina]

They're really great

[ultranova]

very nicley done , and thanks for that intresting information.

what scope was used for this shot

[andyo]

Great image, 185 galaxies incredile!

[Steve 1962]

That's a really nice image of an interesting area of the sky - thanks for posting the info as well - really interesting.

Steve

[Avdhoeven]

very nicley done , and thanks for that intresting information.

what scope was used for this shot

A tec 140 with a QSI583...