Arp 281 / Whale Galaxy

NameWhale Galaxy
Designation(s)Arp 281, NGC 4631, C32
Object Type(s)Galaxy
Relevant Catalog(s)All (Chron), Arp, Caldwell, NGC
Arp CategoryGalaxies with infall and attraction
Obs. Lat/Long42° 17', 073° 57'
ConstellationCanes Venatici
Date and Time Observed2024-02-19 00:00:55
Instrument8" EdgeHD SCT
CameraASI294mc-Pro
Image DetailsRight is 5.6 degrees E of N. Total integration time was 18m. Exposure 30s@305g, UV/IR Cut Filter. Darks subtracted, no flats. Dithered and recentered in SharpCap. No guiding.
DescriptionThis is a large, relatively bright target which is fun to capture. Arp categorizes this as a galaxy "with infall and attraction", where the most obvious sign is the small galaxy NGC 4627. This appears to the right of the whale, just below center. The "Whale" appears to be an unusually thick spiral galaxy viewed edge-on, with no obvious, additional bulge in the center. There is a small bump towards the top left of the galaxy (the whale's "head") which may be evidence of a prior infall.
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