The Penguin Galaxy NGC2936 (Arp 142)
Taken by Tom Wildoner on April 8, 2026 @
Weatherly, PA, USA
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Camera Used: Unavailable Unavailable
Exposure Time: Unavailable
Aperture: Unavailable
ISO: Unavailable
Date Taken: 2026:05:23 13:47:31
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Details:
NGC 2936, famously nicknamed the Penguin Galaxy, is a fascinating interacting spiral galaxy located approximately 326 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra. Once a standard, symmetrical spiral galaxy, its structure has been drastically and beautifully deformed by the immense gravitational pull of its nearby companion, the elliptical galaxy NGC 2937 (together known as Arp 142, or the "Penguin and the Egg"). The intense tidal forces have pulled the galaxy’s gas, dust, and stars outward, creating a distinct profile where the galactic core mimics a penguin's eye, and the warped spiral arms curve around to form its body and beak. This cosmic tug-of-war has compressed the interstellar gas within NGC 2936, sparking a fierce burst of new star formation that shows up as brilliant blue filaments along its elongated "neck." Because of its highly unique, storytelling silhouette and dynamic evolutionary state, it is one of the most recognizable and rewarding targets for deep-sky imaging and astrophysics research.
🔭 Technical Details:
Telescope: Meade 12” LX-90 SCT with Antares Focal Reducer
Camera: ZWO ASI071MC (cooled to -10C) BIN2
Mount: Celestron CGX-L pier mounted
Capture: 108 x 60 seconds
Location: The Dark Side Observatory (W59), Weatherly, PA (Bortle 4)
Processing: DeepSkyStacker + PixInsight
Image Date: April 8, 2026.
Photographer's website:
https://www.thedarksideobservatory.com
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