10/31/2023 Abell 262 is a galaxy cluster in the Abell catalogue. It is part of the Perseus-Pisces Supercluster, one of the largest known structures in the universe. Although its central galaxy, NGC 708, is a giant cD galaxy, most of its bright galaxies are spirals, which is unusual for a galaxy cluster. With approximately 200 members it is a comparatively small cluster. Wikipedia
Abell 262 has been extensively studied in X-rays and in the radio continuum. It is a spiral-rich galaxy cluster, characterized by the presence of a central X-ray source centered on a ‘cluster dominant’ Elliptical Galaxy, NGC 708. These characteristics are similar to those of the closer and more famous Virgo galaxy cluster. Abell 262 is one of the more conspicuous concentrations of galaxies in the Pisces-Perseus super-cluster (a cluster of galaxy clusters consisting of thousands of galaxies).
Using the red shift data from the “NASA Extra-galactic Data Base(NED)”, (and a Hubble Constant of 62 Km per sec., per Megaparsec), one can calculate a rough distance estimate for the Abell Galaxy Cluster of about 260 million light years.
Elliptical Galaxy NGC 708, the ‘heart’ of Abell 262:
NGC 708 is classified as a ‘cluster dominant’ Elliptical Galaxy, (M-87 type). These galaxies are several times larger and more massive than any other galaxy. One, or sometimes a pair, of these giants often occupies the very center of a galaxy cluster. Like many others of its type, NGC 708 has a central dust ring and a Seyfert Type II Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN). Astronomers believe that AGNs result from a super massive black hole at the center of a galaxy devouring stars, gas, and dust. One theory suggests that “cluster dominant” ellipticals are the result of the merging of a number of galaxies. Any galaxy now unlucky enough to wander into the central regions of the galaxy cluster will be “cannibalized” by this giant elliptical at the center.
Galaxies NGC 703, NGC 704, NGC 705, NGC 709, NGC 710 and others:
There are about 14 galaxies in the Kopernik picture of the center of Abell 262, all with about the same red shift, and are thus likely cluster members. Most are dwarf ellipticals. However, NGC 705 is probably an edge-on spiral galaxy, and NGC 704 is a pair of Elliptical Galaxies with at least one other close companion. NGC 709 is a 15th magnitude Lenticular Galaxy. Kopernik.org
IMAGING DATA
Provo, Utah
Bortle 5 sky
Date: 10/29&30/2023
Image: ABELL 262
Camera: ZWO ASI2600 MC Pro in Hyperstar Position
Filter: STC Astro Duo-Narrowband
Temperature: 0 deg C
Gain: 100
Binning: 1×1
Exposure: 180 seconds
# of Lights: 197 for 9 hours 51 minutes were used.
Telescope: Celestron 1100 Edge HD
Hyperstar IV Camera mount
Mount: 10Micron GM1000HPS
Pier: Steel pier on 600 lb concrete block
Observatory: NexDome “Y Mountain Observatory”
Software used
Deep Sky Stacker, Pixinsight, Photoshop
