NGC 5566 ARP 286 in Virgo

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW  (2400x1832)

Scope: Celestron 9.25 Edge 235 mm at f/7.3, Location: Laguna Mountains, CA  10  May 2013  Camera: ST8300M

Exposure: 8 x 10 min  (1x1 bin) exposure  and 8 x 6 min (2x2 bin) exposure with UV/IR block, 8 x 3.5 min (2x2 bin) RGB exposures.

Processing: Data Collection -  CCDSoft (as FITs).  Calibrated, stacked (Sigma Combine), LRGB channel registration, central gradient removal, and color equalization - Astroart.  Curves, Levels, LRGB combine and finishing  - Photoshop.  Color calibration using eXcalibrator. This image is a LRGB combine with Luminance layering -   Final Image size is approximately 2400x1832.

North is up in this image.  This image shows a colorful galaxy group known as ARP 286. This grouping is in the constellation of Virgo. The prominent galaxy is NGC 5566.  The curved, edge view galaxy to the right is NGC  5560. These two galaxies are interacting with distortions seen in both galaxies due to this interaction. The smaller and dimmer galaxy to the upper left is NGC 5569. NGC 5566  and NGC 5560 are about 80 to 90  million light years distant from Earth;  NGC 5569 is about  92 million light years distant. Horizontal FOV is 34'

Image center is approximately - Equatorial 2000: RA: 14h 20m 20.5s Dec: +03°55'59"

All images and content remain the property of Jim Thommes - copyright 2003 - 2013

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