Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Leo (Leo)  ·  Contains:  NGC 2944
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Arp 129 (with Arp 63), Gary Imm
Arp 129 (with Arp 63), Gary Imm

Arp 129 (with Arp 63)

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Arp 129 (with Arp 63), Gary Imm
Arp 129 (with Arp 63), Gary Imm

Arp 129 (with Arp 63)

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Description

This image captures a pair of Arp objects, both located 320 million light years away in the constellation of Leo at a declination of +32 degrees. This pair is one of the closest pairs of Arp objects in the sky. The top object is Arp 129 and the bottom object is Arp 63.

Arp 129 is also known as UGC 5146. The right galaxy of Arp 129 is the spiral galaxy MCG+6-21-71. The left galaxy is the lenticular galaxy MCG+6-21-72. Each galaxy spans 1 arc-minute in our apparent view and has a diameter of 90,000 light years. This object was classified by Dr. Arp into the category of Elliptical Galaxies Close to and Perturbing Spirals. It does appear that these 2 galaxies are interacting, base on the star formation and distortion in the disk of the spiral galaxy.

The view is complicated by the magnitude 12.4 star (TYC 2501-1361-1) in front of the right galaxy. Dr. Arp does not make any mention of this star. I wonder if he recognized it as a star, or if he thought it was the bright core of the spiral galaxy? The actual yellow core is seen immediately left of the star.

Arp 63 appears to consist of three galaxies. The central spiral, NGC 2944, seems to have a companion (LEDA 1990710) on the lower left side as well as another companion (2MASXI J0939167+321838) on the right side. This object was classified by Dr. Arp into the category of Spiral Galaxies with Small, High Surface Brightness Companions on Arms. A star stream seems to envelop the entire object. My Astrobin image post which focuses on Arp 63 is here.

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