NGC 660

Click on image for larger version.

NGC 660 is described as being a "polar ring" galaxy. Another remarkable picture of this rare type of galaxy was recently taken by the Hubble Space Telescope- the example in this case is NGC4650A. These galaxies are believed to have formed from the collision of two galaxies in the past. In the case of NGC 660 it would appear that our perspective is inclined from the axis of the disk so that the foreground portion of the ring does not cross the plane in the middle- but instead towards one side. The central region of this galaxy is considered a "starburst" due to the extreme amount of luminous star formation.This galaxy is estimated to be 24 million light years away. Click HERE to see the full resolution image.

Equipment

RC Optical Systems telescope operating at f/8.8
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 = 150 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 30 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 30 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 30 minutes binned 2x2

Minimum credit line: Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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Updated: 10/11/2002