NGC 1532/1 - INTERACTING GALAXIES

EDGE ON BARRED SPIRAL IN ERIDANUS

 (ra: 04.12,04/ dec -32:52)

January 2010, Mercedes Observatory Buenos Aires, Argentina

DATA

TYPE: Barred Spiral Galaxy

Apparent Magnitude: 9.8

Apparent Diameter: 12.6 x 3.3 arc minutes

DISTANCE: 55 million lights years

IMAGE INFORMATION

SCOPE: Celestron C8 SCT working at f5.1

CAMERA: SXVF H9

GUIDING: William Optics Zenithstar 66 with WO 0.8 x fr/ff

IMAGE ACQUISITION: AstroArt 3.0 - Control Interface 3.72 plug in

FILTERS: Astronomik Type II - Atik Filter Wheel

SKY CONDITIONS: rural skies - seeing 2.3

EXPOSURES: LRGB (90,30,30,40)

PROCESSING: Images Plus, CCD Sharp, Photoshop CS2

OBJECT DESCRIPTION AND IMAGE SESSION

The image shows a common practice in the Universe. Gravitational forces result in interactive processes where larger Galaxies swallows smaller ones. In this case 1532 the larger one, has engaged NGC 1531 a lenticular dwarf galaxy lying in the end of the main galaxy western arm. NGC 1532  is twice the physical size of M51 in a edge on perspective from Earth, however both are similar systems.

The core of NGC 1532 is bright and has intrigued dust lanes that were enhanced with RL deconvolution. The image present also countless distant and faint galaxies scattering in the entire background.

NGC 1532 and 1531 are nice target for medium size telescopes.