Arp 16 / M66 / NGC 3627

Designation(s)Arp 16, M66, NGC 3627
Object Type(s)Galaxy
Relevant Catalog(s)All (Chron), Arp, Messier, NGC
Arp CategorySpiral galaxies with detached segments
Obs. Lat/Long42° 17', 073° 57'
ConstellationLeo
Date and Time Observed2024-03-25 23:03:40
InstrumentEdgeHD 8" f10-2,032mm FL
CameraASI294mc-Pro
Image DetailsUp is 183.0 degrees E of N. Total integration time was 58m 30s. Exposures 30s@305g, UV/IR Cut Filter. Darks subtracted, no flats. Dithered and recentered in SharpCap. No guiding..
DescriptionThis was a lovely, challenging object on a Full Moon evening. Obviously, the broad outline of the target was instantly visible in SharpCap, but the surface brightness was lower than expected. I presume Arp's category refers to the fact that the upper arm of the galaxy is pulled away from the disk of the galaxy (compared to a more symmetrical spiral). You could image that the arm was pulled away by an encounter with another galaxy at some point. Also indicating some sort of disturbance, the plane of the galactic center and nearby core is angled-in slightly towards the back of the disk compared to the plane of the outer arms.
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