NGC 4782 & 4783

For 8-inch or larger telescopes

Yet another pair of interacting galaxies, this time of the elliptical variety. NGC 4782 (MCG -2-33-50, PGC 43924) is 12.4 magnitude and subtends 2.6' x 1.7'. Its dance partner, NGC 4783 (MCG -2-33-51, PGC 43926), is 12.3 magnitude and subtends 2.3' x 1.3'. Together these galaxies make a rare treat as a nearly perfectly matched pair! They lie about 170 million light years distant.

The motions of these two galaxies have been studied, indicating that they were not originally bound gravitationally to each other as we see them today. Apparently they came together after a near collision. The mass occupied by the luminous regions is on the order of 14 billion suns.

Look for a pair of round fuzzy "stars". Use as much magnification as conditions will permit. Also, have a look for the 13.7 magnitude NGC 4794, which lies quite nearby. This is a nearly face-on barred spiral that lies at the same distance as the pair of ellipticals.

The view in a 8-inch at 65x. North is down and east is to the right.

I observed these galaxies in my 18-inch Dob in March 2000:

Both galaxies appeared round. NGC 4782 had a bright core and appeared slightly larger. NGC 4783 had a slightly irregular shape. Best at 425x.

This image from the DSS shows a 20' x 20' field. North is down and east is to the right.

Millennium Star Atlas Vol II Chart 820

Sky Atlas 2000 Chart 14

Uranometria 2000 Vol II Chart 284