Hickson 44 (Leo)

Fig. 1 - In the process of merging: The small galaxy group Hickson 44 (HCG 44) in Leo, photographed with a 16-inch f/4.5 Dob on an equatorial platform.

Object name:	Constellation:	Coordinates:	Apparent size:	Visual brightness:
NGC 3185	Leo	10h18m / +21°41'	2.3' x 1.2'	12.2 mag
NGC 3187	Leo	10h18m / +21°52'	3.0' x 1.3'	12.8 mag
NGC 3190	Leo	10h18m / +21°50'	4.4' x 1.5'	11.1 mag
NGC 3193	Leo	10h18m / +21°53'	1.8' x 1.7'	10.8 mag

The small galaxy group Hickson 44 (HCG 44, Arp 316) in the constellation Leo. Hickson 44 is approximately 80 million light-years from Earth.

Current theory is that compact groups represent physically related galaxies that are in the process of merging into a single object, most likely an elliptical galaxy. Compact groups are relatively short-lived entities that form via mergers of galaxies within loose subsystems and groupings. Simulations predict that merging of the group members should proceed rapidly within one billion years to form an elliptical galaxy.

For an annotated version of the Hickson 44 group of galaxies see the image below. (source: Wikipedia, esahubble.org).

Exposure time: 2h 6min (42x approx. 3min) at ISO 800, taken on April 6 / 7, 2018. Processing with Deep Sky Stacker and Photoshop. No calibration frames were taken.

Equipment: Canon EOS 450D Baader modified camera, TeleVue Universal Paracorr coma corrector, 16" f/4.5 "Ninja" dobsonian telescope riding on a dual-axis Tom Osypowski equatorial platform, Lacerta MGEN autoguider, Lacerta off axis system.

Field of view comparison: image of the moon with the same setup.

Fig. 2 - Labeled image of the Hickson 44 group of galaxies.

M78 M101