NGC 3664
Galaxy in Leo
11 24 24.8 +03 19 39 (J2000)
V = 12.8; Size 2.0'x1.9'; Surf Br = 14.1
Aliases: Arp 5 = VV 251 = UGC 6419 = VIII Zw 146 = MCG +01-29-041 = CGCG 039-170 = PGC 35041
This disrupted spiral was a fascinating sight last night in Jimi Lowrey's 48-inch. The brightest feature is a very knotty 1' irregular bar oriented SW-NE, with at least three brighter knots. The bar is brightest at the NE end with a very short offshoot to the north. Fainter haze surrounds the bar on the NW and SE sides.
The second brightest feature is a detached, mottled "arm segment" on the southwest side that's oddly cocked (NW-SE) perpendicular to the bar. As it appeared detached from the bar, it didn't look like part of a spiral arm, but this arm segment dims significantly and continues curving clockwise around the south and east side, making a low surface brightness outer loop or ring, all around to the other side of the bar! Now, I realized the bar was noticeably offset towards the NW side within a rounder 1.6' outline.
About 6' south is NGC 3664A, a much fainter disturbed companion that was likely involved in a train wreck with NGC 3664 during an earlier encounter. This 30" diameter galaxy has a fairly low surface brightness with a broad concentration, but it didn't reveal any irregular structure. UGC 6417, a more challenging edge on, is another 5' further south.
NGC 3664.jpg
"GIVE IT A GO AND LET US KNOW"
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT VIEWING!
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