Thin galaxies and a flat galaxy in Pegasus

[Bill S]

A few nights back (when it was actually clear!) I was having a bit of look around Pegasus for interesting objects. I had another look at the German faint fuzzies site (Robert Zebahl) and decided to have a look at some thin galaxies.

http://www.faint-fuzzies.de/en/observations_thingalaxies_peg.html

He defines thin galaxies as ones having an axis ratio of at least 1.5.

Here are a couple of the ones I looked at:

 

 

I was thinking that thin galaxies were the same as flat galaxies but I gather that to class as a flat galaxy the axis ratio has to be at least 7 (and the galaxy has to be at least 40 arc-seconds).

See for example https://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/FlatGalaxiesClub

and references if you are a glutton for details. The list is in various formats in the appendices.

There are lots of flat galaxies and more details about them in Alvin Huey's catalogue

http://www.faintfuzzies.com/Files/FlatGalaxies v2.pdf

 

Anyway, I've not got very far looking at many but sticking with Pegasus I did have a look at UGC 12281. This is definitely flat (and thin of course).

 

Best regards and clear skies!

 

 

 

[Mike JW]

Hi Bill,  Just enjoyed a read and a detailed look at your observations. I had forgotten all about the flat/thin galaxies - another challenging list to enjoy. There is always something special about seeing edge on galaxies. Thanks for posting. Mike

[RobertI]

A great post Bill with some very useful information and links. I’ve learned about yet another classification of DSO - flat and thin galaxies! Nice captures too, those galaxies are small and faint so pretty challenging.