Location / Date

Zellerndorf, May 2015

Telescope / Mount / Guiding

ASA 10" Astrograph, ASA 2" Quattro Coma-Corrector (focal length: 1057mm, f4.1)
ASA DDM60, no Guiding

Camera / Exposure

FLI ML8300 with Astrodon filters
L 40x10min, Hα 10x15min
Canon 6D 16x15min RGB

Total exposure time: 13h 10min

Processing

Theli, Fitswork, PixInsight, Photoshop

Notes

NGC 4485 and NGC 4490 are two interacting galaxies in the constellation Canes Ventatici lying 40-50 million light-years awayfrom earth. They have already had their closest approach and are speeding away from each other, separated by 24,000 light-years. Both galaxies are thought to have originally been spirals that have been heavily distorted by the tidal forces of the interaction. They have already had their closest approach and are speeding away from each other, separated by 24,000 light-years. Both galaxies are thought to have originally been spirals that have been heavily distorted by the tidal forces of the interaction.

The larger galaxy, NGC 4490, has virtually no remaining spiral structure discernible along our line of site, while the smaller galaxy, NGC 4485, still displays hints of its spiral structure. The interaction has triggered bursts of star formation in both galaxies, visible as numerous clusters of hot blue stars emitting UV light that cause numerous HII nebulae to glow. This is also evident along a chain of star formation that connects the two galaxies.