Arp 271 - Twin Galaxies in a Gravitational Embrace
Only a short distance from the much more regularly imaged Sombrero Galaxy you will find these two wonderful spiral galaxies in the early stages of interaction. Spiral galaxies NGC 5426 and NGC 5427
are known collectively as Arp 271. This interacting pair of similarly sized spiral galaxies spans about 130,000 light years and lies about 90 million light-years away in the constellation of Virgo.
Both galaxies are quite small at around 2.5' each in size and unlike for my last imaging sessions, the seeing was only fair to middling this time around, both nights..but meah.. hey, made the most of it
only had to discard two frames across the two nights though
Strangely (IMO) this pair is rarely imaged by amateurs In fact I think this may even be the first time an image of these galaxies has been posted on IIS..? Certainly can't recall seeing them posted before...sooooo ...whether it is a tad green or not is proooobably not the most noteworthy aspect of this image (sorry Suavi ) maaaaybe it is when looking at the 1000th version of the Lagoon or Eta Carina ...but all good, I do appreciate the feedback none the less ...
The Deep Space imaging section does still tend to become simply a collection of opinions on colour (which can be important) but regularly completely over looks the vastly more engaging interest contained within the image I mean not that many galaxies look like a cross dresser...aaah sigh....
Cool target, amazing to think of the cosmic collisions and tidal gravitational forces at work there - Makes one want to show it to all the military personnel in the world.
Then they can see that it doesn't matter who thinks they own or want to fight over which tiny piece of dirt underfoot when this is the only planet we know currently sustaining life as we know it.
Wow, that's a beauty Mike and yes rarely captured by amateurs. I read something recently that said the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star system to your right. Deep stuff.
Thanks for the comments guys, glad it was interesting and enjoyed ...I'm surprised I hadn't imaged it before really ... I mean, it's not as if there are that many great and amazing objects to target up there..huh? ....
Lovely colours, Mike, and a great choice of target. Shame the seeing wasn't better but we takes what we can get, eh?
The only other rendition I can recall seeing on IIS was one by Geoff Smith.
It's amazing the array of shapes that result from galactic interactions. If we lived a bit longer it would be fun to do a time lapse
Cheers,
Rick.
Ah yes you are quite right, I remember Geoffs image now
Yes, wish I had enjoyed the same seeing as I had for my psychedelic 3576 two weeks ago but oh well, still, I think my resolution is about as good as any other good amateur shot out there (not taken with a big RC/CDK type on a 7000+ ft mountain in arc sec or better seeing that is) and probably even a little better than most..?
but that is really the only thing that I could pick on 
In fact I think this may even be the first time an image of these galaxies has been posted on IIS..? Certainly can't recall seeing them posted before...sooooo 
...whether it is a tad green or not is proooobably not the most noteworthy aspect of this image 
) maaaaybe it is when looking at the 1000th version of the Lagoon or Eta Carina 
...but all good, I do appreciate the feedback none the less 
I mean not that many galaxies look like a cross dresser...aaah sigh....
, great work Mike 
... I mean, it's not as if there are that many great and amazing objects to target up there..huh? 
wish I had enjoyed the same seeing as I had for my psychedelic 3576 two weeks ago but oh well, still, I think my resolution is about as good as any other good amateur shot out there (not taken with a big RC/CDK type on a 7000+ ft mountain in arc sec or better seeing that is) and probably even a little better than most..? 
