This object is a galaxy located in the constellation of Andromeda at a declination of +36 degrees. It spans less than 1 arc-minute in our apparent view.
This galaxy looks as if it has been disturbed. The core is offset and the arms are distorted, with star streams. The small galaxy to the left could be the companion. But since nothing has been written on this object, I likely will never know.
So why did I image this fairly unspectacular galaxy? I imaged it by mistake, although this time the mistake was not mine. Most sources, including reliable ones such as SIMBAD and Cartes du Ciel, incorrectly reference this galaxy as NGC 218. Even Astrobin's mouseover above shows "NGC 218"!! I wanted to image NGC 218 because it is an interesting interacting galaxy pair. So I directed my mount to go to NGC 218, and I started imaging. I did not realize the mistake while imaging because the galaxies are too faint to see clearly in the subs. Also, the two confused objects are only one degree apart in the sky, so it seems like you are in the right vicinity when you land on NGC 218. But "close enough" does not work well in astrophotography.
I eventually found the right NGC 218 and imaged it, shown
here. If you are looking for the real NGC 218, do not use NGC 218 in your search, go-to or database programs. Use its alternative name of PGC 2720 instead.
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