NGC 6872


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By
Catalog
Obj Type
Location
Date Taken:
Harvey
NGC 6872
Galaxy
CTIO, Chile
08-18-2007
Description

Measuring over 700,000 light years across from top to bottom, NGC 6872 is one of the largest barred spiral galaxies known. The galaxy's elongated shape might have something to do with its continuing collision with the smaller galaxy IC 4970, visible just above center. Of particular interest is NGC 6872's spiral arm on the upper left, as pictured above, which exhibits an unusually high amount of blue star forming regions. The light we see today left these colliding giants before the days of the dinosaurs, about 300 million years ago. NGC 6872 is visible with a small telescope in the constellation of Pavo.

Technical Details
Exposure Time:
18 x 600 second Lum
Camera:
Apogee Alta U47
Telescope:
RCOS Carbon Truss 16 inch f/11.3 Ritchey-Chretien
Mount:
Software Bisque Paramount ME
© 2024 Harvey
Used with permission, No reproduction of these images are permitted without written approval from Harvey.