The NGC Ten Minute Challenge

NGC 4631 (Caldwell 32) and NGC 4656 in Canes Venatici

NGC 4631 is a huge edge-on spiral galaxy, which is apparently
distorted by its small elliptical companion, NGC 4627. This pair has
been included in Arp's Catalog of Peculiar Galaxies as Arp 281. Rich
field telescopes show it in one field with its large, heavily
distorted companion, NGC 4656; this galaxy seems to have interacted
massively with NGC 4631 and there is a bridge of hydrogen gas
connecting both galaxies.

The bright knot at the end of NGC 4656 has been given the identifier
NGC 4657. Beyond the knot, this galaxy curves due to gravitational
distortion.

http://www.martin-nicholson.info/ten...631and4656.htm


Martin Nicholson, Daventry, England.
http://www.martin-nicholson.info/1/1a.htm

Visit the Astronomical Hall of Shame at http://www.geocities.com/queen5658/