Galaxy Abell 76
![Abell 76](/thumb/f16c7876389bd051ce9d765ab1498171_fig.webp)
History
Abell 76 was discovered in 1955 by the American astronomer George Ogden Abell on the photo plates of the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS). In 1955 he published a first list of 13 globular clusters and the positions of 73 planetary nebulae. The PN had the number 62 (A55 62). In 1966 Abell published a complete list including the size and description of the 86 planetary nebulae discovered on the POSS photo plates. He described its morphological appearance as «E» — a symmetrical ring with gaps (incomplete ring). [331, 332]
In 1971 French astronomer Marguerite Chopinet first pointed out that Abell 76 was not a galactic nebula. She used the 1.2 m telescope of the Haute-Provence Observatory and an image-tube spectrograph to obtain a spectrum that showed several redshifted features. The calculated radial velocity and derieved distance led to the conclusion that Abell 76 was a galaxy. The misclassification was also noted by Kohoutek in 1978. [246]
Physical Properties
Abell 76 is an emission-line galaxy with a morphological ring structure. The presence of extensive optical line emissions, high surface brightness and a strong blue continuum sugest that it is currently experiencing a very high rate of star formation, possibly be triggered by a collision with another galaxy, which could be accounted for the ring structure. The radial velocity derieved from the redshift is 3240±40 km/s, which gives with an assumed Hubble constant of 100 km/s/Mpc gives a distance of 32 Mpc. [246]
This galaxy is officially called IRAS F21274-0301, not to be confused with the Abell cluster of galaxies (Abell 76, ACO 76) in the constellation Pisces.
Designations | PN A66 76, IRAS F21274-0301 |
Object Type | Emission-line galaxy |
Redshift (z) | 0.011301151545313392 |
RA (J2000.0) | 21h 30m 3.792s |
Dec (J2000.0) | -02° 48' 29.16" |
Magnitudes | B 15.45; R 14.47 |
Finder Chart
The galaxy Abell 76 is located in the constellation Aquarius. The best time to observe is July to December, when it is highest at night.
![Finder Chart Galaxy Abell 76](/pic/charts/abell76_chart.webp)