NGC2442, the "snake and the mouse"

MM
Mario Motta
Sat, Jan 4, 2025 11:55 PM

The great galaxy lies very far south, -69 degree dec, only 21 degrees from
the south pole in the constellation Volans. Another image I processed from
Adrien Barrajon
It has a splayed open spiral likely from an interaction, and the "mouse" is
PGC 21457, with one other galaxy NGC2434. North is left in this image.
Interestingly this galaxy has 2 NGC numbers, 2442 is the upper head part,
2443 is the lower arm thats horizontal (I have no idea why).
There is free gas seen at the end of the splayed spiral arms. This group is
50 MLY away
enjoy. Zoom in for nice detail
PS I plan on processing a large image set of the magellanic clouds next
when I have time
Mario

The great galaxy lies very far south, -69 degree dec, only 21 degrees from the south pole in the constellation Volans. Another image I processed from Adrien Barrajon It has a splayed open spiral likely from an interaction, and the "mouse" is PGC 21457, with one other galaxy NGC2434. North is left in this image. Interestingly this galaxy has 2 NGC numbers, 2442 is the upper head part, 2443 is the lower arm thats horizontal (I have no idea why). There is free gas seen at the end of the splayed spiral arms. This group is 50 MLY away enjoy. Zoom in for nice detail PS I plan on processing a large image set of the magellanic clouds next when I have time Mario