NGC 3628

Click on image for larger version.

NGC 3628 is a remarkable galaxy since it is being disturbed in many ways. It is one member of a triple group of galaxies including M65 and M66 in Leo. The gravitional pull of these neighboring galaxies has most likely tipped the plane of NGC 3628- and made its central dust lane "wobbled" in appearence. In addition, spectroscopic analysis of the stars and gas in the disk reveal interesting kinematics. The stars orbit the galaxy in the opposite direction of the gas. It is surmised that a recent galactic mergers generates these kinds of dynamics. In this image, there are many small galaxies (especially the dim dwarf beneath) which may soon be gobbled up. All of this action takes place some 35 million light years away from us.

Equipment

16in RC Optical Systems telescope Operating at f/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 = 120 minutes binned 1x1
 Red = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Green = 20 minutes binned 2x2
 Blue = 20 minutes binned 2x2
  • One iteration of L-R deconvolution (sharpening) algorithm using CCDsharp was applied to the luminance image.

  • 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: 02/09/2003