Hickson 79 (NGC 6027 and NGC 6027A – E)
by Vern on Jun.28, 2006, under Astronomy, Galaxy, Galaxy cluster
Seyfert’s Sextet (Hickson 79) located in the constellation Serpens is one of the densest known galaxy groups. Four of the galaxies are believed to be interacting (NGC 6027, and NGC 6027a-c). Component “d” is not part of a group, it is further distant and just happens to be in line of sight. Component “e” is thought to be a tidal tail thrown out from gravitational interaction.
Images taken from Louisville, CO June 26, 2006 at 11:59 MDT with Celestron Nexstar11, F3.3 focal reducer, and Astrovid Stellacam II video camera. Camera settings: integrate 128, gain 9/14, medium gamma. Images were dark subtracted, flat field and bias corrected with ImagePlus. Aligned and stacked 150 images with Registax3. Brightness enhanced with ImagePlus, cropped with Photoshop Elements. Sky was clear, temperature 57°F, transparency very good, turbulence 6/10.
