Here is an image of an interesting pair of interacting galaxies. The larger one is NGC 4490 (Cocoon Galaxy) and the smaller one is NGC 4485. These galaxies are about 40-50 million light years away in the constellation of Canes Venatici. These galaxies actually passed near or through each other in the past which resulted in the warped irregular shape each one now has. If you look closely you can see the trail of stars and H2 regions between the galaxies. It is believed each one was a spiral galaxy before they collided.
April 21-24, 2012
Location: Rancho Hidalgo, NM
Telescope: TEC-140 (F7)
Camera: SBIG ST-8300M
Mount: AP900 GTO
Luminance: 18x20 minutes (binned 1x1)
Red: 9x10 minutes (binned 2x2)
Green: 9x10 minutes (binned 2x2)
Blue: 9x10 minutes (binned 2x2)