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NGC 7682 & NGC 7679

Date:9.10.1996 Time:20:32 UT Exposure:5 min
Field of View:7.8' x 5.1' Receiver:5122 CCD Filter:B
Instrument: D=2m, f=5.6m Observatory: Pik Terskol, Caucasus Observer:T. Bonev, K. Jockers, T. Credner

© Copyright by the observers


Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie

Shown are the galaxies NGC 7682 (left) and NGC 7679 (right) in a false color presentation. The barred spiral NGC 7682 is classified as a Seyfert Galaxy, i.e. it has an exceptionally bright nucleus. The nuclei of Seyferts show bright emission line spectra, and so they must contain a substantial amount of hot ionized gas. It is believed, that Seyferts are a less powerful example of the quasar phenomenon.

NGC 7679 is known as a peculiar starburst galaxy. The image shows this peculiarity very well, indicative of strong interaction with other galaxies. This interaction could trigger the star forming processes and giving rise to this starburst. It is not clear, whether NGC 7679 is interacting with NGC 7682, the fuzzy object above of NGC 7679 or both. Perhaps two galaxies already merged to form NGC 7679 with its disturbed morphology and the smooth extensions are only the remnants of former interaction.