Markarian's Chain

Markarian's Chain
Markarian's Chain in an amateur telescope
Observation data (Epoch J2000)
Constellation(s) Virgo
Right ascension 12h 27m
Declination +13° 10′
Number of galaxies 8

Markarian's Chain is a stretch of galaxies that forms part of the Virgo Cluster. When viewed from Earth, the galaxies lie along a smoothly curved line. Charles Messier first discovered two of the galaxies, M84 and M86, in 1781. The other galaxies seen in the chain were first mentioned in John Louis Emil Dreyer's New General Catalogue, published in 1888.[1] It was ultimately named after the Armenian astrophysicist, Benjamin Markarian, who discovered their common motion in the early 1960s.[2] Member galaxies include M84 (NGC 4374), M86 (NGC 4406), NGC 4477, NGC 4473, NGC 4461, NGC 4458, NGC 4438 and NGC 4435. It is located at RA 12h 27m and Dec +13° 10′.

The bright members of the chain are visible through small telescopes. Larger telescopes can be used to view the fainter galaxies.[1]

At least seven galaxies in the chain appear to move coherently, although others appear to be superposed by chance.[3] Six of the points on the chain can be marked by galaxies. The other two points are pairs of galaxies.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 French, Sue (2004). "Deep-Sky Wonders: Markarian's Chain". Sky & Telescope. 107 (5): 88–91.
  2. ↑ Markarian, B.E. (1961). "Physical chain of galaxies in the Virgo cluster and its dynamic instability". Astronomical Journal. 66: 555–557. Bibcode:1961AJ.....66..555M.
  3. ↑ Litzroth, E. (1983). "The Markarian chain of galaxies in the constellation Virgo". Astronomische Nachrichten. 304 (2): 69–72. Bibcode:1983AN....304...69L. doi:10.1002/asna.2113040204. ISSN 0004-6337.
  4. ↑ Meurers, J. (1977). "Markarian's Chain of Galaxies in Virgo". Astronomische Nachrichten. 298: 103–106. Bibcode:1977AN....298..103M. doi:10.1002/asna.19772980206.


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