NGC4319 and friends: 3 galaxies, a quasar and a star

Observation Notes

Not too many images can be found on astrobin focusing on the area around NGC4319, but it is actually an interesting constellation: NGC4319 (which also runs under the name NGC 4345) is a SBab disk galaxy with extended and distorted spiral arms, probably owing to its interaction with nearby elliptical NGC 4291 - the latter features AGN activity. Both belong to the so-called NGC4589 group as does SB0 galaxy NGC 4386 in the upper left of the image. Another notable object is the bright blue star HD4550-2114-1, which gives the visual impression a nice balance.

Right in the extended disk of NGC4319, between the extended and distorted spiral arms (in the image an inner disk diameter south of of the core of NGC4319) is QSO Markarian 205, aka PGC39975. At a distance of about 1 Blyr or redshift 0.07, Mrk205 is one of the closest QSOs known. Chip Arp (of Arp catalogue fame) used the apparent proximity of NGC4319 and Mrk205 to argue that Mrk205 is part of NGC4319 and thus as indication that redshifts are caused by a process different than the expanding universe.

Data were taken on 2026 March 31, April 1 and April 2.

Technical Details

View the full-resolution image together with complete acquisition and processing details on AstroBin.