NGC 4731

Click on image for larger version.


 This very dim galaxy appears a bit bent out of shape due to the nagging gravitational effect of its neighbor, NGC 4697. At an estimated distance of 65 million light years away NGC 4731 is on the far side of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies. The galaxy has a few hotspots of star formation, but is otherwise fairly demure in appearence. The background is mottled with galaxies perhaps hundreds of times more distant.

Equipment

Meade 16in LX200 telescope operating at f/10
SBIG ST8E 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 = 30 minutes binned 2x2
  • One iteration of L-R deconvolution (sharpening) algorithm using CCDsharp was applied to the luminance image.

  • The average FWHM for this image is 2 arcseconds.

    • Minimum credit line: Daryl Seibel/Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

    RETURN to the GALAXIES page.

    BACK to main Best of AOP page.

    Would you like to take images like this? Click here.

    [NOAO logo] Return to NOAO Home Page

    Updated: 2/20/2002