NGC 4753 -- Lenticular Galaxy in Virgo
Galaxy with Twisting Dust Lanes
Photographs from professional telescopes show a strange abnormality in NGC 4753.
Immense twisted lines of dust weave around the galaxy’s core. If that is not odd enough
the galaxy hosts an estimated 1,070 Globular Clusters (that’s a lot!). NGC 4753
peculiarities are believed to be due to a merger of a gas rich Dwarf Galaxy into the host
galaxy approximately one-billion years ago.
Through the 155mm refractor from my yard, both the twisted dust lanes and the numerous
Globular Clusters are far from my reach. Still this galaxy stands out as a bright galaxy with
a sharply demarcated spherical core.
This was my last drawing/observation for the night. I had been at it for five hours. Time
had passed quickly. The six galaxies that I observed/drew could all be found on page 239
of the Uranometria 2000 atlas. The page centered on the bright star Porrima (Gamma
Virginis). This page marked over 100 additional galaxies that I did not get to tonight -- they
will wait. I am looking forward to spending many future nights with the telescope pointed
towards the Virgo Super Galaxy Cluster.
Immense twisted lines of dust weave around the galaxy’s core. If that is not odd enough
the galaxy hosts an estimated 1,070 Globular Clusters (that’s a lot!). NGC 4753
peculiarities are believed to be due to a merger of a gas rich Dwarf Galaxy into the host
galaxy approximately one-billion years ago.
Through the 155mm refractor from my yard, both the twisted dust lanes and the numerous
Globular Clusters are far from my reach. Still this galaxy stands out as a bright galaxy with
a sharply demarcated spherical core.
This was my last drawing/observation for the night. I had been at it for five hours. Time
had passed quickly. The six galaxies that I observed/drew could all be found on page 239
of the Uranometria 2000 atlas. The page centered on the bright star Porrima (Gamma
Virginis). This page marked over 100 additional galaxies that I did not get to tonight -- they
will wait. I am looking forward to spending many future nights with the telescope pointed
towards the Virgo Super Galaxy Cluster.