Galaxy Group in Perseus
This large and dense group is one of the most distant galaxy clusters that can be seen through amateur telescopes. The large bright galaxy to the left of center is NGC 1275, also known as Perseus A. It is a Seyfert galaxy and a strong emitter of radio waves. The blue and red streamers extending from this galaxy give some indication of the violent energy being emitted. Numerous other galaxies, spiral, elliptical, and irregular, are scattered throughout the field. Clicking on the larger images makes it easier to see the shapes of the many smaller galaxies. This field of view includes only the central section of this large galaxy cluster.
NGC 1275:
| Magnitude | 11.9 |
| Apparent Size | 2.6' x 1.9' |
| Distance (light yrs) | 240 million |
| Right Ascension | 3:19.8 |
| Declination | +41 31 |
| Field of View | 29' x 22' |
Image details: Exposure times of 240 minutes luminance and 30 minutes each of red, green and blue, taken with an SBIG ST-8300M imager and a 14" Meade LX850 telescope at f/6.
December 2014