ARP 118

Cetus

RA
02 55 11
DEC
-00 10 58
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NGC 1144

Type Seyfert 2

Mag 13.7 V
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NGC 1143

Type E

MAG
13.6 V
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2MASX j02550661-0009448

Type S0

MAG 15.7 V
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This weeks OOTW is ARP 118 a triple crash that is forming a ring. I selected it from Dr Berry Madore's paper "Atlas of Collisional Rings"http://arxiv.org/abs/0902.4629 It was originally thought that NGC 1144 was only interacting with NGC 1143 but after Dr Madore's 2009 paper it was shown that there is a third player in this cosmic dance. NGC 1143 is the main collider but 2MASX j0255-0009 has also had a encounter with NGC 1144.

ARP 118.jpg

I find it fascinating to track down the collider galaxies that has caused such havoc in the formation of ring galaxies. At 15.7 V Mag 2MASX j0255-0009 is a bit of a challenge but is within reach of many scopes in this form. Another challenge with this system is to try and ferret out the ring in NGC 1144 very cool to see this early ring in formation! Another challenge near this system is the small galaxy 1.5' West of 2MASX j0255-0009 at 16.4 V Mag it is 2MASX j02550068-0009498. I look forward to here your observations of this triple cosmic dance and as always,

GIVE IT A GO