Arp 97, MGC+5-29-10/-11/-12
Ursa Major
RA: 12 05 47.8
Dec: +31 03 39
Size: 2.4 x 1.4’ (determined by megastar and encompassing the three galaxies)
Mag: MCG+5-29-10 (15.7), -11 (15.3), -12 (15.5)
Urano: 54L
In actuality, Arp 97 consists of just the two interacting galaxies (-10 and -11) while the nearby -12 is just in the right place where if you took the image and rotated it counterclockwise 120 degrees, you get a “coat hanger”. That is how it appeared in Jimi’s 48” scope. Pretty cool object. The redshifts of the three galaxies suggests that they are approximately the same distance from us. -10 and -11 is about 318 mly, while -12 is 340 mly distant.
Below are my two observations of this object:
48” (488x) (NELM 7.5) - Very cool coat hanger looking group of galaxies. The hook off MCG+5-29-11 is considerably faint, but obvious. It hooks to the west side hooking to the south. It is brighter than the connecting streamer to MCG +5-29-10, which lies 2.4’ due north. The two mentioned galaxies group forms a coat hanger with MCG+5-29-12, despite that there are no bridges to MCG+5-29-12. Very cool object in the 48”
22" (255, 305, 377 and 458x) (NELM 6.5)
MCG+5-29-11 appeared as a 3:2 elongated even surface brightness patch with no central brightening.
PA = 20º and 15” long. The “hook” was not detected. Its companion, MCG+5-29-10, lies 1.2’ north and is a faint round even surface brightness patch. No faint extension detected. Probably need a better night and a larger scope. 10” across. MCG+5-29-12 is a very faint round even surface brightness patch. Lies 1.3 SE from -11. Note: This observation was done more than 10 years ago with “high-glass” eyepieces. This object deserves a re-observation with the same scope, but with my ZAO-II eyepieces.
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