SUNSET: 
0
Photographer:
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Robotic Telescope, processed by Mark Germani
Location of Photo:
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date/Time of photo:
May 2020
Equipment:
RCOS 16" f/9 Carbon Tube Ritchey-Chrétien Telescope, SBIG STX-16803 Camera, Software Bisque Paramount ME GEM Mount
Description:
The data for this image was acquired by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's Robotic Telescope, which was based at Sierra Remote Observatories. The RASC makes this data available for purchase on their website. After processing this image, I offset the framing of NGC 3718 to emphasize its interaction with NGC 3729, seen in the upper-right. It is believed that they interact gravitationally, which has led to the unusual shape of NGC 3718, which would likely otherwise be a regular spiral galaxy. Also included in this image is the Hickson Compact Group 56, just above and to the left of NGC 3718. Despite appearances, HCG 56 is roughly 8 times more distant than NGC 3718. I found it difficult to resolve much detail for this group. Many thanks to the RASC Robotic Telescope team for the data! They collected 8 hours of LRGB, and another 4 of Ha.
