Arp 273 is a pair of interacting galaxies, 300 million light years away in the constellation Andromeda. It was first described in the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies, compiled by Halton Arp in 1966.[5] The larger of the spiral galaxies, known as UGC 1810, is about five times more massive than the smaller galaxy.[6] It has a disc that is tidally distorted into a rose-like shape by the gravitational pull of the companion galaxy below it, known as UGC 1813. The smaller galaxy shows distinct signs of active star formation at its nucleus,[7] and "it is thought that the smaller galaxy has actually passed through the larger one."[8]
Arp 273 | |
---|---|
Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Constellation | Andromeda |
Right ascension | 02h 21m 28.703s[1] |
Declination | +39° 22′ 32.65″[1] |
Distance | 300 million ly |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 13.7[2] |
Characteristics | |
Type | SA(s)b pec[3] + SB(s)a pec[4] |
Other designations | |
Z 523-28, Z 0218.4+3909, CGPG 0218.4+3909, ZW V 223, KPG 64a, UZC J022128.6+392231, 2MASX J02212870+3922326, Arp 273, UGC 1810, MCG +06-06-023, PGC 8961, VV 323, VV 323a[1] |