NGC 2443 / NGC 2442 - Amazing binary galaxy system

[jsmoraes (Jorge)]

Spiral barred galaxy in constellation of Volans. Also known as Meathook, distant of 56 millions of light years, and with 110,000 light years across. It is speeding away from Milk Way at 1466 km/s.

It is a binary galaxy sistem, with its compain NGC 2442 and a dense cloud of intergalatic gas. NGC 2443 is at bottom side of photo and NGC 2442 together with the cloud at top side. NGC 2442 isn't visible and is separated from NGC 2443 about 150,000 light years.

The asimetric shape of arms is due to gravitational interaction between the galaxies. Perhaps they will be a unique galaxy at the future.

NGC 2442 is smaller than NGC 2443 and has strong interaction with the intergalactic cloud HIPASS J0731-69, wich contains the mass of billions Suns and with amount of 1/3 of hydrogen of NGC 2442. That cloud is devoid of any stars.


GSO 305 mm - Canon T3 - 21 x 4 min ( 1 h 24 min) - ISO 800 - OAG - Skyglow filter - Coma corrector

http://www.astrobin.com/150788/

[chiaroscuro (Luke)]

Very nice. You're a prolific contributor here Jorge. Love your work.

[jsmoraes (Jorge)]

Thank you, Luke. I didn't like this work, because the colors are very false. I worked with strong light of the Sun. And now, night for me, the colors are very artificial.

This galaxy is very faint. You can see that I used 1 hour and 24 minutes. Subs with 4 minutes and ISO 800.

Perhaps a version mono (BlackWhite) sould be better.

Well, but why not try a reprocessing.