--- Canopus56 <canopus56@yahoo.com> wrote: <snip all> To correct:
NGC6946 is a Hubble late-type Scd - a barred spiral
Scd galaxies aren't barred, that would be SBcd. The literal translation of Scd is spiral galaxy with loosely wound arms where most of the luminosity is in the arms. Joe wrote:
the arms to be in such a peculiar orientation. One almost seems to double back the wrong way.
I don't see one going in the opposite rotation. Maybe it's the heavy arm you are referring to. Looks right for an Scd spiral. See the Hubble tuning fork diagram. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubble_sequence The galaxy does have an odd feel to it visually. That is probably the 42 deg tilt. Your brain's trying to tilt it to face on like M51. - Canopus56 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com