NGC 2442

This image was chosen as the APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day) for March 15, 2007, click here to see the archived APOD.

NGC2442 is a barred (SBbc) spiral  galaxy in Volans with a visual magnitude of  10.4 at Right Ascension (2000.0): 07:36:19.0 and Declination (2000.0): -69:31:30.  It is approximately 5x6 arcminute.  In this image, North is toward the upper left, East is to the lower left  The field is approx. 10 x 10 arcmin.

There is an image of NGC2442 from the Anglo-Australian Telescope at: http://www.aao.gov.au/images/captions/aat098.html 

It is thought that the distorted structure of NGC2442 arose from an interaction with a dwarf galaxy in the same group.  Star forming regions are prevalent throughout the arms, but are concentrated in the northern spiral arm and tend to avoid the bar.  The nucleus is rapidly rotating.  This galaxy is not experiencing strong starburst.  This galaxy was a commissioning target of the Spitzer Space Telescope.

NOAO Image Gallery