Arp 69 – NGC 5579

Object Type(s)Galaxy
Relevant Catalog(s)All (Chron), Arp, NGC
Arp CategorySpiral galaxies with small high surface brightness companions on arms
Obs. Lat/Long42° 17', 073° 57'
ConstellationBootes
Date and Time Observed2025-07-21 23:28:00
InstrumentEdgeHD 8" w/f7 reducer-1,422mm FL
CameraPlayer One Apollo-M Mini
Image DetailsUp is 178.1 degrees E of N. Transparency: Good. Seeing: Good. Total integration time was 40m. Exposures 15s@300g, No Filter. Dithered and recentered in SharpCap. No guiding.
DescriptionArp's remarks are simply, "Three-armed spiral." The classification identifies small, high surface brightness companion on arms. That could be the small spiral you see towards the top of the comparison images. It's the only obvious candidate, for a distinct companion, but it could also be any of several bright knots attached to NGC 5579 itself.

In any event, this is a heavily disturbed spiral galaxy.. While the theories of spiral galaxy formation are still squishy, even now, 3-armed galaxies are rare and thought to be a product of a disturbance. What disturbed Arp 69 is tough to say, so the multiple "hot spots" suggest the possibility of an prior interaction, mostly absorbed.
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