Arp 269

ARP 269 2015 Apr 19

Object:   ARP 269   (NGC 4485 & 4490) Date:               2015 April 19
Peculiarity:    Galaxies with connected arms.
Constellation:           Canes Venatici Time & altitude: 23.00 UT     80º
Catalogue data: Seeing (5 high):                               3/5
            R.A:                12h 30m Transparency (5 high):                   3/5
            Dec:                +41º 40 Telescope:     0.5m f4.1  Dob.
            Magnitudes:    12.3 & 10.2 Eyepiece:      17mm Ethos    x120                                     8mm Ethos      x260
Galaxy sizes (mins): 2.3 x 1.6 & 6.3 x 3.1 Filters:            None.

Notes:

The 17mm gave the better view. The principal galaxy 4490 is elongated 3:1 aligned NW-SE. The following edge is more sharply defined than the preceding edge, reminding me of NGC 7331. It has a non-stellar nucleus. An arm curving N towards 4485 was glimpsed intermittently. Elusive detail generally suggests a spiral structure. NGC 4485 is an irregular smudge without a nucleus. The pair was not seen as in contact.