Galaxy Cluster in Perseus
Abell 407 is a distant group of galaxies whose members can be seen scattered around this image. A feature of special interest is the very compact group of nine galaxies in the center of this image known as Zwicky's Nonet. (Roll over the image for a close-up.)
The redshifts of the nine galaxies of Zwicky's Nonet suggest that they are about 650 million light years away.
The largest single galaxy visible in the image (bottom center) is the ringed spiral galaxy PGC 11437. Its redshift indicates that it is about 3 times closer than Zwicky's Nonet. It certainly appears larger than the individual galaxies in the nonet and it is not hard to imagine that it is closer.
PGC 11437:
| Magnitude | 14.7 |
| Apparent Size | 1.3' x 0.8' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 225 million |
| Right Ascension | 03:01.8 |
| Declination | +35 44 |
| Field of View | 39' x 26' |
Image details: 109 exposures of 180 seconds each, taken with a ZWO ASI2600MC Pro imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/6.
December 2024