This spectacular interacting pair of galaxies is the center of a greater number of fainter background objects. The primary object seen here is 10.2 magnitude NGC4490, classed as SBS7P, and quite peculiar. The companion to the interaction is 12.3 magnitude NGC4485 above, and is an Irregular Magellanic type. The interaction is noteworthy because of the string of pink HII regions on the north side of 4490, and the trail leading up to the companion. The completely blue color of these galaxies is a bit unusual indicating a burst of star formation on a gigantic scale.

The small faint galaxies also in the image are anonymous types, with little data on them, however they are mostly 17th magnitude and fainter. Seeing was the best I have ever seen here in Payson, 1.9 arcsecond stars in 10 minute sub exposures.

Instrument:  12.5" f/5 Home made Newtonian
Platform:  Astrophysics 1200 QMD
CCD Camera:  SBIG ST7E w/Enhanced Cooling
Exposure:  LRGB = 60:20:20:36 (RGB Binned 2x2)
Filters:  RGB Tricolor
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing FMHW = 1.9 arcsec, Transparency 8/10
Outside Temperature:  0 C
CCD Temperature:  -35 C
Processing:  Maxim DL, Photoshop, AIP4WIN, PW Pro.