Is this an overlapping ellipsoidal and spiral, or the remains of a merger?

• by JohnWBarry

  Got no idea

  Posted November 3, 2015 9:51 PM

• by JeanTate in response to JohnWBarry's comment.

  It does look like a bit of a hybrid, between an elliptical and a spiral, doesn't it? 😄

  Without further analysis, it's impossible to say, with any certainty, whether it's a somewhat unusual/disturbed spiral or a late-stage merger (or something else entirely).

  However, the SDSS DR9 automated spectrum pipeline classifies it as "GALAXY BROADLINE", which points to an elevated likelihood that it's a merger ...

  Hope this helps, and happy hunting! 😃

  Posted November 3, 2015 10:24 PM