This object, also known as NGC 4861, is an odd irregular galaxy located 30 million light years away in the constellation of Canes Venatici at a declination of +35 degrees. This magnitude 12 galaxy spans 4 arc-minutes in our apparent view, which corresponds to a diameter of 40,000 light years.
In his
Arp catalog, Dr. Arp classified this object into the category of Galaxies with Irregular Clumps.
I love the unique look of this galaxy structure. I can see where it would be mistaken for a comet in the eyepiece. The blue core is bright and somehow completely offset to one end. A superimposed blue star frames the opposite end. In between, blue star clusters cascade like a waterfall. The “tail” has an interesting warp to it. The entire galaxy has a slight red tint to it from the strong HII content.
I would love to know how such a structure was formed. I assume that gravitational interaction played a big part of its history but I see no other objects in its vicinity.
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