Arp 111 / NGC 5421

Designation(s)Arp 111, NGC 5421
Object Type(s)Galaxy, Galaxy Cluster
Relevant Catalog(s)All (Chron), Arp, NGC
Arp CategoryElliptical galaxies repelling spiral arms
Obs. Lat/Long42° 17', 073° 57'
ConstellationBootes
Date and Time Observed2025-07-27 23:01:00
InstrumentEdgeHD 8" w/f7 reducer-1,422mm FL
CameraPlayer One Apollo-M Mini
Image DetailsUp is 180.5 degrees E of N. Transparency: Fair. Seeing: Fair. Total integration time was 37m 30s. Exposures 15s@300g, No Filter. Dithered and recentered in SharpCap. No guiding.
DescriptionThe night cleared just after sunset, and shortly after a brief rain shower. We struggled with ground mist all evening, and patchy clouds.

Arp's remarks, as usual, are pithy: "E[lliptical] galaxy apparently bending arm at root." It certainly does look like a SBc barred spiral is slamming into an elliptical galaxy, and the upper arm is wrapping back on itself from where it connects with the galactic core ("root") and leaving a bulbous, tidal mess behind. Pretty cool. I'm unclear what's going on with the smaller galaxy that's floating above, and lightly left, of the other two. It's much dimmer, and given its relative size and dimness, may not be interacting at all with the other two.
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