Arp 86, known by aliases NGC 7752/53 and PGV 72382/87, is a captivating pair of interacting galaxies nestled approximately 272 million light-years away in the Pegasus constellation. This cosmic duo, first spotted by R. J. Mitchell on November 22, 1854, has piqued the interest of astronomers ever since.
In Halton Arp's renowned Atlas of peculiar galaxies, Arp 86 holds a prominent position under the category of "spiral galaxies with large high surface brightness companions". Detailed imaging has unveiled striking resemblances between Arp 86 and the M51 galaxy along with its companion.
The duo comprises NGC 7753 (the primary galaxy) and NGC 7752 (the satellite), each having its unique characteristics. NGC 7753, a barred spiral galaxy, boasts a compact nucleus, while NGC 7752, a barred lenticular galaxy, intriguingly attaches to one of NGC 7753's spiral arms.
Astronomers confirmed the interaction between these two galaxies through the detection of a tidal bridge, indicating high rates of star formation in the regions it connects. This bridge serves as a conduit for mass transfer from the primary galaxy to its satellite, with theoretical models suggesting a 5% mass shift from NGC 7753 to NGC 7752 based on observations.
The article is accompanied by a composite optical image of Arp 86, meticulously crafted by integrating data from Hubble Space Telescope (HST), Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), and the Victor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope at Cerro Tololo, Chile. The image, created using broadband filters at various wavelengths, offers a vivid depiction of this cosmic spectacle.
Image Credit: The image that brings the intriguing tale of Arp 86 to life has been credited to ESA/Hubble and NASA, Dark Energy Survey, J. Dalcanton.
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