ARP 279, NGC 1253 and 1253A Interacting double galaxies

[elpajare]

Another Arp galaxies, number 279 in Eridanus.

There are two galaxies interacting at 81 million light years and it is classified in the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies of Arp as "Interacting double galaxies". The photographs of the Atlas of Kanipe & Webb have been taken with a 14 "SCT and 50 minutes of exposure. With an 8" RC and the IMX294C and only 6,25 minutes I have almost achieved the same detail.

The challenge of observation is to detect the arcing arm coming out of the greater galaxy, NGC 1253 towards the small NGC1253A. In the photo they look pretty good, even a small extension of NGC1253A towards the greater galaxy ( better in the inverted version)

The photo has been taken with a TSoptics RC8 "+ IMX294C not refrigerated + UVIR filter with 15x25" stacked and treated as always with Startools, the real person in charge of the details.

 

 

 

[Mike JW]

This is yet another fascinating galactic mess and nicely captured. Makes me wonder if planets with life on them could exist in such a turbulent muddle. As your info regarding distance indicates, this pairing must be one of the closer Arps. Both classed as having bars - can see that in NGC 1253 but not so sure about the smaller one.

A couple of star forming cluster easily visible on the left of the NGC 1253 in your shot and possibly a few more picked in my image.

Mike

[elpajare]

Very good Mike. If yes, we can see the nuclei of star formation in your photograph.

Galactic collisions do not usually disturb planetary systems as they say. Another thing is for the star to move to a new orbit within the galaxy. Maybe some professional astronomer can clarify it.