NGC 5296 and NGC 5297
A pair of Galaxies in Canes Venatici

Galaxies NGC 5296 and NGC 5297:

TThis interacting pair of Galaxies is in the Constellation of Canes Venatici. Spiral Galaxy NGC 5297 is near to edge-on and has a very small, bright nucleus in a bright central lens shape. It has several narrow knotty spiral arms and dark lanes, plus two faint outer smooth arms. The outer spiral arms show evidence of perturbation by the companion galaxy. The Southeast arm shows an unusual pitch angle although there is no clear connection to the companion. NGC 5296 is a dwarf Lenticular Galaxy which is distinctly elongated towards the neighboring giant spiral. There is much evidence of past episodes of massive star formation, most likely caused by the interaction with NGC 5297. This leads to the classification of NGC 5296 as a Starburst Galaxy. The red shift of both galaxies is about the same, and gives a distance estimate for the pair of 12 million light years.

NGC 5296 Magnitude: 14.9 Constellation: Canes Venatici RA: 13h 46m 18.9s Dec: +43° 51' 08" Epoch 2000 Size (mins): 0.9' x 0.5' Classification: S0+:                Lenticular Galaxy, starburst (uncertain)

NGC 5297 Magnitude: 12.0 Constellation: Canes Venatici RA: 13h 46m 24.0s Dec: +43° 52' 00" Epoch 2000 Size (mins): 5.8' x 0.8' Classification: SAB(s)c: sp       Mixed Barred/Non-Barred Spiral Galaxy, edge-on, (uncertain)

George Normandin, KAS

August 23rd, 2009