This
Astrobin Debut Object is a small disturbed galaxy located 75 million light years away in the constellation of Cancer at a declination of +26 degrees. It spans 1.5 arc-minutes in our apparent view, which corresponds to a diameter of only 40,000 light years (not included the star stream). Including the star stream brings the total width to about 100,000 light years.
The object looks to be a small blue spiral galaxy that we are viewing edge-on. A bright white core appears in the central section, along with a number of star clouds. The defining feature is the long curving star stream, typically an indication of significant disturbance from a companion.
However, studies of the surrounding region of this galaxy have found no companions In fact, studies have identified this galaxy as one of the most isolated in our Local Supercluster. Given the galaxy’s isolation, it is difficult to understand the origin of this star stream. Scientists have proposed that this is a case where the galaxy is interacting with a companion composed entirely of dark matter.
Somewhat disappointingly (to me, anyway), a recent 2015 study concluded that this object is the result of a merger of 2 dwarf galaxies, with one almost completely now absorbed. So the dark companion hypothesis has now been eliminated for this galaxy.
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