List of some galaxies that are merging or about to merge:
- M51 (The famous Whirlpool) NGC 5195.
This can be found just below the star Alkaid in the Plough. It can just be seen in 10 x 50 binoculars on a really dark night. Easily seen in most scopes but far more detail seen the larger the scope. - The Antennae NGC 4039/4038.
This can be found low down in the South during late spring in the Constellation of Corvus just a little way to the right of the star Gienah. A difficult object as it is low down, hence looking through lots of atmosphere. A good low Southern horizon is needed. Again, a really dark transparent sky necessary. I have only just seen it in a 12" scope. - The Cocoon NGC 4485/4490.
A bright pair, very near to Beta Canes Venatici, the star Chara? Again just seen in a 6" scope; and the bigger the scope the more detail can be seen, a lovely pair in a 16". - The Siamese Twins NGC 4567/4568 in Virgo.
It is found 2/3 of the way between Denebola in Leo and Vindemiatrix in Virgo. Difficult to find as this area is full of galaxies. A 8" or larger scope is needed. - NGC 4226/4227.
Just to the left of the star Algiba in Leo. A faint pair and needs a 12" or larger telescope. - NGC 2903 in Leo.
It can be found just off the nose of the Lion, a little south of the star 'Alterf'! A bright centre with an elliptical halo. - Stephan's Quintet in Pegasus.
Four interacting galaxies + a foreground galaxy all very close together. This group can be found below the bright galaxy NGC 7331 which is above the star Matar in Pegasus. A 14" or larger scope is needed to see some of the brighter members. - 'The Mice' in Coma Berenices.
NGC 4676 A/B a very remote pair, possibly part of the Coma Cluster of Galaxies which is about a third of billion light years away. I first saw them in a 25" Dobsonian sited at an altitude of 2,150 meters on Tenerife some 24 years ago before light pollution took over! They appeared as two faint fuzzy blobs, one with a short tail.
Also in a 16" and 22" scope on a very transparent night from Chilmark some 3 years ago. They were very, very faint and at the limit of my vision and appeared as two small smudges.
They would be a good target for imagers to see if they can record their tidal tails.
Hubble Telescope took a great image of this pair. Is it the image below and is supplied courtesy of NASA and ESA.
Please note some of these may only be seen through a large telescope.
Rod
