Thursday, November 23, 2017

imaged tiny Hickson 1 (Halifax)

I noticed in SkyTools that Hickson 1, the first object in the Hickson Compact Groups was up high. Programmed the Burke-Gaffney Observatory to image it (centring on Tycho 1734 01060 1).

Hickson 1 galaxy cluster in luminance

Luminance only, 60 seconds subexposures, 10 stacked shots. FITS Liberator, GIMP. North is up; east is left.

The documented members in UGC 248, PGC 1625, PGC 1614, and PGC 1618.

248 is the large member to the north-east. It is touching 1625 to the south-west. Both of these look like spiral galaxies interacting, tearing each other apart. There is a very interesting bridge between them. They are east of the Tycho star.

1614 is to the west. Round. With a bright core. West of the Tycho star.

1618 is the very tiny faint round fuzzy between the others. Between Tycho 1734 01060 1 and Tycho 1734 00524 1.

South-east of the cluster proper is a bright but small almond: PGC 1628.

No comments: