NGC 1291: A Double Barred Galaxy
with Issues
OTA:……………….CDK17
Camera:………….SBIG
STXL11002with AOX and FW8G (0.63 arsec/pxl)
Observatory:…. Heaven’s Mirror, Chile
EXPOSURES:
…R……11 x 1200 sec.
…B…...11 x 1200
…G……10 x 1200
…L…….21 x 1200
Total exposure 17.7 hours
Image Width: 26.3 arc-minutes
Processed by Alex Woronow (2020) using PixInsight, Topaz, SWT
This Southern Hemisphere galaxy, classified as an “outer-ring galaxy.” Rings most commonly occur in early-type galaxies. The rings usually have low surface brightness but considerable radial extent. Hinz, et al. (2012) found that most of the dust in NGC 1291 resides in the ring—about 70% of the total dust content. UV images by NASA’s Galaxy Evolution Explorer show that almost all new-star formation takes place in the dust ring—as one might suspect. (
https://futurism.com/apotd-ngc-1291)
NGC 1291 has more than a single unusual feature. Firstly, unlike most barred galaxies, it has two bars and two rings—
with a slight spiral structure predominantly in the inner ring. In this image, one bar, the inner/smaller bar is in the area rendered in white at the very center. It tilts to about 2:00. The second bar is seen in the yellow part of the image and spans most of the inner galaxy. It slants to about 2:30. Bars, in general, occur more commonly in these ring nebula than in other galaxy morphologies.
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