The Antennae Galaxies (also known as NGC 4038/NGC 4039 or Caldwell 60/Caldwell 61) are a pair of interacting galaxies in the constellation Corvus. They are currently going through a starburst phase, in which the collision of clouds of gas and dust, with entangled magnetic fields, causes rapid star formation.
The Antennae Galaxies are undergoing a galactic collision. These interacting galaxies are located 0.25° north of 31 Crateris and 3.25° southwest of Gamma Corvi.
Located in the NGC 4038 group with five other galaxies, these two galaxies are known as the Antennae Galaxies because the two long tails of stars, gas and dust ejected from the galaxies as a result of the collision resemble an insect's antennae.
The nuclei of the two galaxies are joining to become one giant galaxy. Most galaxies probably undergo at least one significant collision in their lifetimes. This is likely the future of our Milky Way when it collides with the Andromeda Galaxy.
| Object | NGC4038/4039 Antennae Galaxies |
| Constellation: | Corvus |
| Position: | RA 12h 01m 53s / Dec -18° 52' 03'' |
| Apparent Size: | 5.2 × 3.1 / 3.1 × 1.6 arcmins |
| Apparent Magnitude: | 11.2 |
| Distance in light years: | 45 Mly |
| Photo Data | |
| Date: | 10./11./12./14.06.2023 |
| Location: |
El Sauce Observatory Chile (2500m ASL) GPS: 47°36’13“ N, 10°11’24“ E |
| Telescope: | CHI-1-CCD: Planewave CDK24 61cm / f6.5/3962mm |
| Camera: | FLI ProLine PL9000, 12μm, 3056x3056, @ T sensor = -10.0° |
| Field of View: | 32' x 32' |
| Pixel Scale/Resolution: | 0.62 arcsec/px |
| Expose frames/times: | L 14x600s, R 14x600s, G 14x600s, B 14x600s |
| Total expose: | 8h 0min |
| Filter: | Astrodon Luminannce, Red, Green, Blue |
| Mount: | Mathis MI-1000/1250 with absolute encoders |
| Software: | Siril 1.4, Photoshop CC |
| Remarks: |
© 2025 Peter Cerveny