Arp 157 / NGC 520
| Designation(s) | Arp 157, NGC 520 |
| Object Type(s) | Galaxy |
| Relevant Catalog(s) | All (Chron), Arp, NGC |
| Arp Category | Galaxies disturbed by interior absorption |
| Obs. Lat/Long | 42° 17', 073° 57' |
| Constellation | Pisces |
| Date and Time Observed | 2026-02-24 20:30:00 |
| Instrument | EdgeHD 8" w/f7 reducer-1,422mm FL |
| Camera | Player One Apollo-M Mini |
| Image Details | Up is 359.2 degrees E of N. Transparency: Fair. Seeing: Fair. Total integration time was 23m 20s. Exposures 20s/225g. Dithered and recentered in SharpCap. No guiding. |
| Description | Discovered originally by William Herschel in 1784, this is a truly enigmatic galaxy of magnitude 11.8. Most modern commentator suggest its a merger in progress. Arp, himself, despised what he called "merger mania" and gave it a cryptic classification of "Galaxies, disturbed with interior absorption", whatever that means. Arp's remarks were "Note segment in NE direction" which presumably refers to the faint tidal trail continuing to the upper right from the galactic center. Pity that clouds cut short my observation as altitude was approaching 20°. Perhaps an opportunity for a longer exposure on a futre date. |
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