A Cosmic Dance: NGC 7331 and Stephan's Quintet Captured in Detail
Prepare to be mesmerized by a truly spectacular view of the cosmos. This 8-hour integration, captured from the clear skies of Fregenal de la Sierra in Spain, showcases two incredible celestial landmarks: NGC 7331 and Stephan's Quintet.
NGC 7331: The Milky Way's Twin
On the upper right of this stunning frame, we find NGC 7331. This majestic spiral galaxy, located approximately 40 million light-years away, bears a striking resemblance to our own Milky Way. Its grand spiral arms, dusted with countless stars, offer a glimpse into the beauty and complexity of galactic structures.
Stephan's Quintet: A Galactic Collision
Lower left, a more distant and dynamic spectacle unfolds: Stephan's Quintet. This captivating group of interacting galaxies, situated about 290 million light-years away, is renowned for its gravitational dance. The image captures the tidal forces at play as these galaxies interact, a process famously highlighted by the James Webb Space Telescope's deep imaging.
A Symphony of Distances
What makes this image particularly remarkable is the juxtaposition of these celestial bodies. To see galaxies at such vastly different distances – from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of light-years – all within a single frame is a profound testament to the scale and wonder of our universe.
Technical Details:
- Telescope: Planewave CDK17
- Camera: ASI6200MM Pro (unguided)
- Filters: Astrodon RGB
- Integration Time: 8 hours
- Location: Roboscope, Fregenal de la Sierra, Spain
