NGC 474 and Its Ghostly Shells

Image Title: NGC 474

Copyright: Omar Radwa

Date image was taken: October 28, 2025

Location: Fort Davis, Texas

Data Acquisition Method: Personal Telescope Setup

Description and Details: NGC 474: Tidal Elegance in Pisces
This image showcases NGC 474, a lenticular galaxy located roughly 100 million light-years away in the constellation Pisces. What makes NGC 474 extraordinary are its ethereal tidal shells and faint arcs—remnants of ancient galactic mergers and interactions, likely with its nearby companion, NGC 470. These features hint at a complex evolutionary history involving multiple collisions and accretion events over billions of years.
Captured over five nights in October 2025, this image reveals the delicate structure of NGC 474’s extended halo and the gravitational interplay between galaxies. The neighboring spiral NGC 470 appears to the left, possibly still influencing NGC 474’s morphology.
Imaging Details:
• Telescope: RCOS 16" Military Version Solid Tube
• Camera: QHY600m
• Filters: Astronomik LRGB
• Total Integration: 22h 45′ over 5 nights
• Luminance: 165×300″ = 13h 45′ (Oct 27–28)
• Red: 90×120″ = 3h (Oct 23)
• Green: 90×120″ = 3h (Oct 22)
• Blue: 90×120″ = 3h (Oct 21)
• Moon Illumination: Avg. 14%
Despite challenging conditions—low moon percentages and long exposures—this dataset pulled out the faintest tidal features with remarkable clarity. The image is a tribute to the quiet drama of galactic evolution, where even the most subtle arcs tell stories of cosmic upheaval.

Name: Omar Radwan