NGC 1255

Click on image for larger version.


 Can something 73 million light years away be useful to astronomers? In the case of NGC 1255, shown here, the answer is decidely yes. NGC 1255 is a compact galaxy with lots of star formation taking place. The relationship between its arms and the barred nucleus hint at what processes might unfold in galactic evolution. For example, this galaxy (like many others) displays spiral arm "rows" and other linear features. Astronomers would like to learn whether these are transient features, long lived structures, or perhaps even the result of interacting (nearby) galaxies.

Equipment

20in RC Optical Systems telescope Operating at f/8.4
Paramount ME Robotic Telescope Mount
SBIG ST10XME CCD camera with color filter wheel

L R G B color production was used to create this image.

Luminance = 90 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 20 minutes binned 2x2
  • This object is *very* low in the southern sky as viewed from Kitt Peak. More data would be helpful to compensate for atmopheric extinction.
  • Digital Development (DDP) via Maxim/DL was also used in order to display the the very dim and very bright details of the image simultaneously.

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    Minimum credit line: Peter and Suzie Erickson/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 12/10/2004