NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 – The Antennae Galaxies

This celestial scene is the wreckage of a collision between two spiral galaxies. The two galaxies began their confrontation a few hundred million years ago. Formally known as NGC 4038 and NGC 4039, the pair is nicknamed the Antennae Galaxies because of two long streamers of stars, gas and dust that extend from the crash site. About 65 million light-years away in the constellation Corvus, the Antennae Galaxies make up one of the closest pairs of colliding galaxies to us.

I’m rather pleased with the result, considering the short integration time and the object being rather low in the sky (maximum 25° altitude from my location).

NGC 4038 and NGC 4039

Telescope: 16″ f3.75 Dream Scope
Camera: FLI ML16803
Mount: ASA DDM85
Exposure: 3.5 hours (20x300s L +  3x8x300s RGB)
Date: March 2021
Location: Southern Alps, France

larger FOV, including NGC 4027, top left corner