Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Cancer (Cnc)  ·  Contains:  NGC 2735
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Arp 287, Gary Imm
Arp 287, Gary Imm

Arp 287

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Arp 287, Gary Imm
Arp 287, Gary Imm

Arp 287

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Description

This Astrobin Debut Object is a pair of interacting spiral galaxies located 115 million light years away in the constellation of Cancer at a declination of +26 degrees. The main galaxy at center is magnitude 13.3 NGC 2735, while the companion on the left is NGC 2735A. The main disk of NGC 2735 spans 1 arc-minutes in our apparent view, which corresponds to a diameter of 40,000 light years.

This galaxy was classified by Dr. Arp into the interesting category of Double Galaxies – Wind Effects. I don’t know the exact definition of “wind effects”, but it looks to me that the galaxies of this category have tidal star streams that are less distinct and more smeared than normal.

I love star stream bridges and this is no exception. The main galaxy and its companion definitely look connected to me. A star stream smudge is also seen to the lower right of the main galaxy - it is not uncommon for star streams to extend to the opposite side of the main galaxy from the companion.

The most interesting part of this image is the faint brownish swath, resembling a dust lane of some sort, which seems to be smeared across both galaxies. I don’t understand it. Just another example of the mysteries to be found (and hopefully one day to be solved) in these objects.

The small thin blue galaxy at left is also the same distance away as the other two, but doesn’t seem to be part of the interaction.

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