Celestial hemisphere:  Northern  ·  Constellation: Vulpecula (Vul)  ·  Contains:  PGC 90367
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PGC 90367, Gary Imm
PGC 90367, Gary Imm

PGC 90367

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
PGC 90367, Gary Imm
PGC 90367, Gary Imm

PGC 90367

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Description

This Astrobin Debut Object, also known as IRAS 20351+2521, is a tiny disturbed spiral galaxy located 0.5 billion light years away in the constellation of Vulpecula at a declination of +26 degrees.  The galaxy disk spans 30 arc-seconds in our apparent view.  This corresponds to a diameter of 80,000 light years.  This length does not include the star stream which extends upward.  From our view perspective, the disk is inclined about 35 degrees from face-on.

The Hubble image of the comparative mouseover clearly shows the fragmented arms and numerous blue star formation regions.  The Hubble documentation describes this object as a pair of merging galaxies, which could be right.  But to me, it looks more like a spiral galaxy disturbed by a smaller companion passing close by.  Time will tell if their gravitational forces and relative velocities result in a complete merger or just a significant amount of disturbance.

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