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This is an image of NGC 4731, a distorted spiral galaxy in the Virgo galaxy cluster. ?A small companion galaxy, NGC 4731A is shown in the upper right of the frame. ?Despite appearances, the distorted arms in the larger galaxy are not caused by gravitational interaction with 4731A but with a much larger elliptical galaxy NGC 4679 outside the field of view. ?The gravitational disturbances have triggered active star formation in the core of 4731 as indicated by the bright red hydrogen alpha spots. ?NGC 4731 is classified as a Seyfert type galaxy, meaning it has an active nucleus and emits strongly in the infrared, radio, and x-ray parts of the spectrum.

The image was captured during 5 nights in April 2024 from SkyPi Remote Observatory using a 12.5" PlaneWave scope and a QSI-640ws camera at f/8 for a final LRGB integration of 17.0 hours.



Thanks for looking,
Bruce W.