On the front cover of Halton Arp's book 'Quasars, Redshifts and Controversies' is an image of the NGC 4319 / Markarian 205 system.

Arp used the 200" at Mt Palomar, on a night of exceptional clarity, apparently, to produce a high resolution image of this system.

It has become one of the most controversial images in mainstream astronomy, because Arp claimed to be able to resolve a light bridge between NGC 4319 and Markarian 205, which is a highly redshifted quasar, z=0.07. NGC 4319 is relatively nearby with a very low redshift, z=0.006.

Conventional wisdom concluded that the apparent connection, if it existed, was a chance alignment compounded by an imaging artifact. It is interesting to note that several amateurs have produced images which do appear to show some connection between the 2 components. On the other hand the HST has produced a very nice image which, at first glance does not appear to show the bridge. However if the HST image is contrast enhanced there is indeed a faint bridge visible.

The whole topic is very controversial and has been dismissed by mainstream astronomers because it would seriously compromise the integrity of the 'big bang' theory.

I therefore decided to resolve the issue by taking a conclusive image using my 10" Newtonian!

Here it is and as you can see, despite my very best efforts I am unable to resolve any connection between the galaxy and the quasar. My image consists of 45 x 120second exposures. I had some problems with guiding near the pole, as usual, so there is some evidence of elongated stars in parts of the image.

The final image was then solarised (a technique borrowed from my days in the darkroom using film and chemicals) and contrast stretched but no bridge that I can see.

I also tried an intensity contouring filter but again no joy, so I can only conclude that Dr. Arp may have got it wrong on this occassion, though I could be wrong!