| Designation(s) | Arp 74, UGC 1626, (companion) 2MASX J02082216+4128061 |
| Object Type(s) | Galaxy |
| Relevant Catalog(s) | All (Chron), Arp |
| Arp Category | Spiral galaxies with small high surface brightness companions on arms |
| Obs. Lat/Long | 42° 17', 073° 57' |
| Constellation | Andromeda |
| Date and Time Observed | 2024-12-26 18:45:00 |
| Instrument | EdgeHD 8" w/f7 reducer-1,422mm FL |
| Camera | Player One Apollo-M Mini |
| Image Details | Up is 277.3 degrees E of N. Total integration time was 48m 15s. Exposures 15s@300g, UV/IR Cut Filter. Darks subtracted, no flats. Dithered and recentered in SharpCap. No guiding. |
| Description | Arp 74 consists of UGC 1626 (Mag 14.1), the barred spiral at the center and Arp 74B (2MASX J02082216+4128061) the small spiral galaxy (Mag. 15.7!) to the left of it (or above it in the comparison with the Catalog image). The key question is whether we're viewing an attraction, with a dwarf galaxy about to be absorbed, or an asterism with 74B representing a much more distant galaxy with no gravitational connection. Arp clearly concluded the former, presumably because of the slight, triangular bump in the arm of UGC 1626 adjacent to its companion. Overall, the barred spiral is a reaction to gravitational disturbance, but it's not definitively a reaction to the current disturbance. Overall, I'm surprised the closest spiral arm isn't more distorted by a neighbor so close by (presuming it's not an asterism after all). |
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