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Date 2011 |
Location Mayhill, NM |
Software ACP, MaxIm DL, TheSky6 |
Mount Software Bisque Paramount ME |
Guide Atik 16IC, Astrodon MMOAG |
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Optic OGS/RCOS 10" RC |
Camera Atik 11000C |
Filter OSC RGB |
Exposure 1200s x 34 |
Process Astroart 5, Photoshop CS5 |
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Billions and Billions.com/Deer Lick Group
The Deer Lick Group and Stephan's Quintet are two wonderful 'visual groups' in the constellation Pegasus. Dominated by the large spiral galaxy NGC 7331 is the Deer Lick Group at upper-right, which includes four other galaxies. Also called Caldwell 30 or The Pegasus Galaxy, 7331 is an SAb spiral. Discovered by William Herschel in 1784, it is placed at a staggering 50 million light-years distance. While you attempt to wrap your head around this, be advised that the smaller galaxies are likely ten times farther away and thus, not part of a true interacting group.
At lower-left is the very beautiful Stephan's Quintet. This visual group was discovered by Edouard Stephan in 1877. The blue NGC 7320 at the top of the cluster is estimated to be seven times closer to us than the others. Those further away are indeed gravitationally bound and are part of HCG 92 (Hickson Compact Group). Note the tidal tails which connect several of these galaxies. Click for a larger version as well as a map of the field or return to the Gallery