Galaxy cluster Abell 1060

Galaxy cluster Abell 1060
This image shows the center of the large galaxy cluster Abell 1060. Some 25 galaxies are visible in the image, dominated by the pair of giant ellipticals in the center, NGC 3309 and NGC 3311. Also known as Hydra I, Abell 1060 is a member of the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster.
The large bluish galary in the lower left corner is a spiral viewed somewhat from the edge, and clearly distorted from gravitational interactions with other members of the cluster. The brightest of the two adjacent giant elliptical galaxies (NGC 3311) has an noticable assymetrical envelope extending towards the upper left, perhaps as a result of this encounter.
The cluster is located around 140 million ly away in the southern constellation Hydra.

Technical details

OPTICS10" Newtonian f/5.2
MOUNTLosmandy G11 equatorial
CAMERAPhilips ToUCam Pro SC1 webcam
FILTERSNone
EXPOSURE70 x 120s
DATE/TIME24/02/2006 11:33 UTC
LOCATIONMy backyard observatory in west Auckland, New Zealand

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