NGC 2207 & IC 2163 Interacting Galaxies
Constellation: Canis Major
Distance: 80,000 kly
Mag: 12.2 / 11.6 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: 4x360 LRGB
Date: 2010-03-15
Software: MaximDL, Images Plus, PHD, Pixinsight
NGC 2207 is in the process of colliding and merging with IC 2163. But unlike the Antennae or the Mice Galaxies, they are still two separate spiral galaxies. They are only in the first step of colliding and merging. Soon they will collide looking a bit more like the Mice Galaxies. In about a billion years time they will merge and become an elliptical galaxy.