Astronomy/Galaxy info

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Expert: - 8/19/2004


Question
Hello:

Is there a Galaxy called Pegasus?  If so, haw far is it from earth?  Do you know of any websites that shed any information about this galaxy?

Thank You,

Paul

Answer
Hi Paul,
Not specifically, as Pegasus (as you probably know)
is a constellation (area of the sky) and there is no
individual galaxy called "The Pegasus Galaxy" as like the
adjoining constellation Andromeda has in it. (M-31).
(In fact, I don't think that there is another individual galaxy named for the constellation that it is in, other than
Andromeda). There are other distant "Galaxy Clusters" named for the constellation...for instance the Leo I Group,
the Perseus Group, the Coma Berenices Group, etc etc.
but no one individual galaxy.


Thus, there is a distant galaxy cluster (cluster of
distant galaxies) called the Pegasus I Galaxy Cluster, dominated by two 12.3 magnitude galaxies near the Pisces-Pegasus border....NGC 7626 and NGC 7619.  On the photo of this URL below, about a dozen members are visible, and the estimated distance to the Pegasus Galaxy Cluster is 170 million light-years from our Solar System.
 
I have personally seen the two brightest mentioned above
thru my 30 inch portable scope, but due to light pollution
I have never been able to eyeball any of the remaining group
of galaxies in this cluster, as they have very low surface brightness. So generally, the remaining are only visible by
photographs.

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/stellar/scenes/object_e/ngc7626.htm

Hope all this helps,
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Pres...ECMOG
Erie, PA

Astronomy

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Tom Whiting

Expertise

Astronomy has been my hobby/pasttime for over 50 years.  Currently own 3 telescopes, the largest of which is a 30 inch Newtonian truss Dob that is portable.I taught Astronomy/Meteorology at the University Level for 13 years before retiring in 1995. Being retired and home most of the time, I am able to answer all questions relatively quickly, unless it's a new moon weekend with good observing conditions.  No astrology questions please, or questions about alleged UFO picture identifications.

Experience

Experience: Astronomy has been my hobby and study for over 50 years. We currently now own a 30 inch portable telescope (Updated - Pennsylvania`s largest portable telescope). It can be seen on our website at:http://www.velocity.net/~bwhiting and also attend several regional starparties during the year, and have been on 5 total solar eclipse expeditions.

Organizations: President, Erie County Mobile Observers Group for over 15 years.

Publications: Wrote the "Over Erie Skies" newspaper article in our local newspaper for 11 years (1975-86).

Education: Masters Degree- Taught at the University level for 13 years. Retired 20 years -USAF Pilot - KC-135 with 180 combat missions;  Also Eagle Scout, Philmont staff 2 Yrs, Order of Arrow Lodge Chief, Ham Radio (inactive).

Awards: two discoveries: The mini-coathanger asterism in Ursa Minor (the little dipper) And the mini-ladle- another asterism in the bowl of Ursa Minor. Clients: Currently President of the ECMOG as mentioned above.

Education/Credentials
BS  Metallurgical Engineering Grove City College, PAMaster's Degree, Gannon University, Erie, PA Also retired USAF pilot, 20 years.

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