Leo

NGC 3067
Ra: 09 58 21
Dec: +32 22 12
Mag (b): 12.0
z=0.005
Light Travel-Time: 0.078 GLy

3C 232
Ra: 09 58 21
Dec: +32 24 02
Mag (g): 16.1 [NED]
Mag (b): 16.0 [USNO B1]
Mag (b): 15.7 [NOMAD1]
z=0.531
Light Travel-Time: 5.097 GLy



Another astonishing pair of two near (1.9’) discordant objects – galaxy NGC 3067 and the quasar 3C 232.

NGC 3067 was discovered by William Herschel in 1785. The active central region means that this galaxy is a starburst galaxy.

The mystery began in 1971 [1971ApJ...170..233B] when Burbidge et al. uses the 3C radio sources catalogue which maps the object 3C 232 only 1.9 north of NGC 3067. From the common distance calculation from the redshift the quasar is around 65 times behind the galaxy. But than, the discussion began.
- Arp [1989ESOC...32...89A] shows a hydrogen bridge between the quasar and the galaxy.
- Arp and Burbidge [1990ApJ...353L...1A] shows that the jet of 3C 232 is pointing in the direction of the galaxy 3C 232
- Stocke et al. [1991ApJ...374...72S] presents a picture of a “HI finger” which connects the quasar and the galaxy but they estimated no real tidal connection and only a chance projection of both objects.
Several other paper were written to explain the near pair but the mystery still remains.

Nevertheless the professional studies the pair is another very interesting pair to observe in amateur telescopes. While NGC 3067 is visible
even in very small aperture, the quasar could be in reach of a 12-inch telescope.

27", 419x, NELM 6m5+, Seeing III
NGC3067_Label.jpg

As always, give it a go and let us know