- G10 minutes (2 frames)
- R20 minutes (4 frames)
- L30 minutes (6 frames)
- B15 minutes (3 frames)
HCG 68 is a compact galaxy cluster located in the constellation Canes Venatici, approximately 100 million light-years from Earth. It was discovered in 1953 by astronomers George Abell and Richard Heinz. The cluster consists of five galaxies: NGC 5353, NGC 5354, NGC 5350, NGC 5355, and NGC 5358. Galaxies NGC 5350, 5353, 5354, and 5355 were discovered by William Herschel in 1788, and NGC 5358 was discovered by Stephan in 1880.
Characteristics and interesting features
The HCG 68 cluster is interesting due to the interactions between galaxies, in particular NGC 5353 and NGC 5354, which are only about 9 kpc apart and are in the process of merging. This interaction leads to deformations in their structure, as well as intense emission in the radio range.
One of the interesting features is NGC 5354, classified as a lenticular galaxy, which in deep images shows a dusty lane, which is unusual for this type of galaxy.
Geographic location and visibility
The cluster is located in the constellation Canes Venatici, near the bright galaxy NGC 5371, which is not part of this cluster, but is probably physically associated with it. All of these galaxies are located at a distance of about 100 million light years. The cluster lies on a filamentary structure connecting the Coma and Cepheus galaxy clusters.
The galaxies of HCG 68 are visible in telescopes with diameters ranging from 22 cm (for brighter objects) to 30 cm and larger (for fainter galaxies).
Importance for Astronomical Research
Studying HCG 68 helps astronomers to understand processes occurring in compact galaxy groups, such as galaxy interactions, mergers, and new star formation. This object is of particular interest for studying the evolution of galaxies and galaxy clusters in space.
Notes
- NGC 5353 and NGC 5354 are interacting and also have active galactic nuclei.
- NGC 5371 may be the same galaxy as NGC 5390 due to misidentification.
- Overall, HCG 68 represents a unique opportunity to study processes in galaxy groups and will continue to attract the attention of astronomers.
Visibility chart of Galaxy cluster (HCG 68) during the day
| Date | Moon Phase | Exposure | CCD Temperature | Gain | Offset | Filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- 2023ixf•
- 40 Eri•
- Abell 74•
- Artemis A868 SA•
- a Canis Minoris•
- C 2020 R4 ATLAS•
- C 2020 T2 Palomar•
- C 2021 S3 (PANSTARRS)•
- Haumea (2003 EL61)•
- HCG 68•
- HCG 92•
- IC 1318B•
- IC 1396•
- IC 1795•
- IC 1805•
- IC 1848•
- IC 1871•
- IC 3322A•
- IC 342•
- IC 4015•
- IC 405•
- IC 417•
- IC 434•
- IC 443•
- IC 4703•
- IC 5070•
- IC 5146•
- IC 63•
- M 1•
- M 101•
- M 103•
- M 109•
- M 13•
- M 15•
- M 27•
- M 3•
- M 33•
- M 42•
- M 45•
- M 5•
- M 51•
- M 57•
- M 63•
- M 64•
- M 74•
- M 76•
- M 81•
- M 82•
- M 86•
- M 87•
- M 94•
- M 97•
- NGC 147•
- NGC 1491•
- NGC 1499•
- NGC 1579•
- NGC 1961•
- NGC 2146•
- NGC 2239•
- NGC 2403•
- NGC 281•
- NGC 4236•
- NGC 4565•
- NGC 4631•
- NGC 507•
- NGC 508•
- NGC 5866•
- NGC 5907•
- NGC 6503•
- NGC 6823•
- NGC 6888•
- NGC 6946•
- NGC 6992•
- NGC 6995•
- NGC 7000•
- NGC 7023•
- NGC 7129•
- NGC 7217•
- NGC 7331•
- NGC 7380•
- NGC 7538•
- NGC 7635•
- NGC 7640•
- NGC 7822•
- NGC 891•
- NGC 896•
- NGC 925•
- PGC 54559•
- Sh2-155•
- Sh2-168•
- Sh2 103•
- Sh2 109•
- Sh2 132•
- T CrB•
- UGC 6930•
- V1405 Cas•
- Vesta A807 FA•