Galaxy NGC5221 (Arp 288) in Virgo
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 13:49:33
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Details:
NGC 5221 is a compelling, highly inclined spiral galaxy located approximately 320 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. It is most famous for its membership in the peculiar triple galaxy system Arp 288 (also cataloged as VV 315), where it resides alongside its close neighbors, NGC 5222 and PGC 93122. Classified as an Sb-type spiral, NGC 5221 exhibits dramatic structural distortions caused by intense gravitational interactions with its companions. Halton Arp famously categorized this system under "wind effects," describing the galaxy as having massive, faint stellar plumes or "streamers" stretching out in opposite directions from its highly tilted edge.
🔭 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: 100 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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