NGC 4676a & NGC 4676b Mice Galaxies
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Distance: 290,000 kly
Mag: 14.7 / 14.4
Type: two Galaxies colliding
Imaging Location: Rusty RV Ranch Rodeo New Mexico
Imaging Platform: C14 Hyperstar QSI540
Mount: CGE PRO
Guiding Setup: SSAG Orion Short Tube 80
Exposure: 4x600 LRGB
Date: 2010-03-14
Software: MaximDL, Images Plus, PHD, Photoshop CS4
They are presently in the process of colliding and merging. Their name refers to the long tails produced by tidal action—the relative difference between gravitational pulls on the near and far parts of each galaxy—known here as a galactic tide. Members of the Coma cluster, it is a possibility that both galaxies have experienced collision, and will continue colliding until they coalesce.
RASC DEEP SKY 28