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NGC 1313 is a quite peculiar galaxy. Its nickname has been deserved, due to its shape: The Topsy-Turvy galaxy. This is the result of a recent (cosmologically speaking) collision with another galaxy. As a consequence, not only its original shape was heavily distorted, but also the star formation was triggered to a very high rate, according to the high number of young blue stars as well as the abundance of HII regions (red) which are the real cradles of the surging stars.
This galaxy has another peculiarity that differentiates it from other galaxies. It has two Ultra-Luminous X-ray sources. At least, one of them (NGC 1313 X-1) has been found to be associated with an Intermediate- (or Stellar-) Mass Black Hole, a rare kind in itself, with a total mass around 5,000 solar masses.
Additional Information
Object
Name(s): NGC 1313. The Topsy-Turvy Galaxy
Type: Distorted Spiral Galaxy
RA: 03h 18m 05.4s
Dec: -66º 29’ 36.7”
Constellation: Reticulum
Size (arcmin): 9.2 x 7.2
Magnitude: +8.7
Distance: 14 Mly
Image
Date: 2019-08-16 to 2019-09-25
Location: iTelescope.net, SSO near Coonabarabran, NSW Australia
Size (arcmin): 29 x 23
Telescope: 20” f/6.8 Reflector
Camera: SBIG STX16803 (4096x4096pix)
Guiding: Astrodon MonsterMOAG off-axis guider
Total exposure: 14 h 45 min (Ha: 5h 30m; L: 3h 15m; RGB: 6h)
Processing: CCDStack, Photoshop CC 2020