| Description | This was captured almost due north early in what is nearly the shortest evening of the year, with a 35% crescent moon due west. This is a lovely, seemingly "normal" spiral galaxy. Arp categorized it as having a "low surface brightness companion on arms" which, frankly, I would not have noticed without this prompt. On close examination, there are a couple of hints, and I infer that the glowing, slightly nebulous spot at the top (N) end of the image is a dwarf "companion" galaxy. This is consistent with the emerging bar in the center of the main galaxy, which points more or less directly at this spot.
Like many "nebulae" in this part of the sky, this was discovered by William Herschel in 1797. I find the Herschel family's story inspiring and like to comment in these notes when I discover it's the case. What an amazing brother/sister/son combo they were! |
