Arp 239 / NGC 5278-5279

Designation(s)Arp 239, NGC 5278, NGC 5279
Object Type(s)Galaxy
Relevant Catalog(s)All (Chron), Arp, NGC
Arp CategoryGalaxies with the appearance of fission
Obs. Lat/Long42° 17', 073° 57'
Date and Time Observed2025-08-27 22:54:00
InstrumentEdgeHD 8" w/f7 reducer-1,422mm FL
CameraPlayer One Apollo-M Mini
Image DetailsUp is 92.6 degrees E of N. Transparency: Excellent. Seeing: Good. Total integration time was 32m 30s. Exposures 15s@300g, No Filter. Dithered and recentered in SharpCap. No guiding.
DescriptionTwo, reasonbly bright NGC galaxies pretending they're M-51. There's an obvious connection from 5278, the larger galaxy, to 79 via a heavy arm. Less obvious connection between the two nucleii.

This is yet another example of Arp's reluctance to see merging or "fusion" between two galaxies. What gives this the "appearance of fission" is a mystery to me.
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