Hockey Stick Galaxy / NGC 4556-7

NameHockey Stick Galaxy
Designation(s)NGC 4556, NGC 4557
Object Type(s)Galaxy
Relevant Catalog(s)All (Chron), NGC
Obs. Lat/Long42° 17', 073° 57'
Date and Time Observed2025-06-24 22:41:00
InstrumentEdgeHD 8" f10-2,032mm FL
CameraASI2600MC-Pro
Image DetailsUp is 179.1 degrees E of N. Transparency: Fair. Seeing: Good. Exposures 15s@150g, UV/IR Cut Filter. Dithered and recentered in SharpCap. No guiding.
DescriptionThese two galaxies interact with the "Whale" galaxy: NGC 4631, aka Arp 281. The Hockey Stick is easily deserving of a place in Arp's catalog, though is not included. The faint, upper-left end of the stick is actually a dwarf galaxy in the process of merging end-to-end with 4656. Truly a fun object... I'm hoping to capture a wider field few with both the Hockey Stick and the Whale in the same image.
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