Neighborhoods of spiral galaxies. I. Multiple interacting galaxies.
Abstract
A multiple interacting system is defined as three or more galaxies falling within a few diameters of each other, at least two of which are strongly interacting. The more outstanding examples of multiple interacting galaxies are discussed. It is shown that these systems have a strong tendency to be aligned in chainlike configurations. It is also shown that they preferentially occur in the immediate vicinity of galaxies with much larger apparent diameters and much lower redshifts. The chance for these latter associations to be accidental is computed to be between 10- and 10-6 Subject headings: galaxies - galaxies, clusters of - redshifts
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- November 1973
- DOI:
- 10.1086/152455
- Bibcode:
- 1973ApJ...185..797A