Observation by Peter Goodhew FRAS: NGC 2685 The Helix Galaxy

Uploaded by

Peter Goodhew FRAS

Observer

Peter Goodhew FRAS

Observed

2022 Apr 07 - 11:27

Uploaded

2022 Apr 13 - 11:29

Objects

The Helix Galaxy (NGC2685)

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Constellation

Ursa Major

Field centre

RA: 08^h55^m
Dec: +58°44'
Position angle: -9°40'

Field size

0°18' × 0°12'

Equipment

APM TMB LZOS 152 Refractors
QSI6120 CCD Cameras
10Micron GM2000 HPS mount

Exposure

20 hours 25 minutes LRGB

Location

Fregenal de la Sierra, Spain

Target name

NGC 2685 The Helix Galaxy

Title

NGC 2685 The Helix Galaxy

About this image

NGC 2685 is a very unusual galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major.
It is a rare polar ring galaxy - meaning it has a ring of gas, stars and dust orbiting in a plane almost perpendicular to the normal flat plane of NGC 2685. Physically it contains two separate velocity systems whose axes are perpendicular. The most popular view says that such galaxies are the result of an interaction, up to and including a complete merger, with another galaxy.
This feature can be seen in the image as helical filaments around the central part of the galaxy.
NGC 2685 is about 50,000 light years across, and about 42 million light years from Earth.
Image captured on my remote dual rig at Fregenal de la Sierra in Spain between 26 March and 7 April 2022.
More information at https://www.imagingdeepspace.com/ngc-2685.html

Files associated with this observation

NGC2685.jpg (997.7 kB)

Like this image

Nick Hewitt, Graham Winstanley, Alan Thomas, Simon Paul Davis, Peter Carson

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