NGC 3758/MRK739-- Smiley Face Galaxy AKA The Owl Galaxy

Leo

RA
11 37 25
DEC
+21 29 46

Type Spiral Galaxy with two AGN

Mag V 14.59

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I am filling in for Paul sorry for the late post.

NGC 3758 is a rare type of galaxy merger with two super massive back holes that are dancing around each other in a death spiral. Not many galaxies with dual AGN's (DAGN) are know. I have recently started to collect and observe these rare and most usual type of galaxy and really get a kick out of trying to see the two nuke's in them.

NGC 3758 was found by Ralph Copeland on March 18 1874. Professor Bill Keel gave it the Owl galaxy name in a 1993 article in Mercury magazine.

ngc3758.jpg

I have observed 3758 many times over the years and most recently two nights ago. The conditions that night was seeing 5/10 and transparency 8/10. I always give a chuckle out loud when I see the two bright cores starring back at me. At 610X the DAGN was easily split and seen with direct vision and is surrounded by a small round fuzzy halo.

More info https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/s...ack-holes.html


Be sure to check out the Smiley Face galaxy and see if it makes you LOL.

Give it a Go!