This barred starburst spiral galaxy of type SABc is labeled NGC4666 and can be found as a member of the Virgo galaxy-group Virgo-II.Sized 4,5′ × 1,3′ and of 10,5mag brightness it is the main galaxy of a small group of galaxies named LG 299 (NGC4666,4632,4668)
NGC4666 has a highly active galactic nucleus,emitting strong X-rays.NGC4668 is suspected to force this property by its gravitational influence to NGC4666.The star-forming rate is quite high and is spreading all across the galaxy´s disk.
This galaxy was first detected by William Hershel in Febr.1784.
position (epoch 2000):
Ra.: 12h 45m 08,6s
Decl.: -00° 27′ 43″
image data:
LRGB (460-140-140-140 min),a total of 14.7 hours
80cm f/7 AstroOptik Keller corrected cassegrain
FLI Proline 16803 Astrodon LRGB Gen-II filters Prompt 7
CTIO/UNC Chile,remote controlled
image processing: Bernd Flach-Wilken
here you can see the superwind-galaxy NGC4666 in a 19.1´x 19.1´squared FOV with its weaker compagnon NGC4668 to the left.
For full resolution click HERE
here is a mored detailed version of NGC4666:
This is a a comparison of NGC4666 taken with ESO´s 2,2m telecope at La Silla versus the one of our CHART32-goup: