NGC 3319

Click on image for larger version.


 At a distance of 32 million light years, NGC 3319 is a relatively nearby galaxy. Much of the activity in this galaxy is resigned to the central bar- the rest of the galaxy is seemingly quiet (and *very* dim). A few starforming regions punctuate the ends of the bar and the bends in the spiral arms. Astronomers have wondered why this particular barred-spiral seems to lack much gas (and thereby much starformation). The distribution of hydrogen gas in this galaxy is also significantly asymmetric. The reason for this is unknown as normally interaction with another galaxy would cause this effect; but there are no perturbers in the vicinity.

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 = 105 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 20 minutes binned 2x2
  • An extremely low surface brightness target.
  • 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: Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 12/18/2004