Markarian's Chain

Posted: Jun 17th, 2026

Technical Info

Telescope/Lens: Askar SQA 85

Camera: ZWO ASI2600MM Pro

Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro

Guide Scope: SVBONY Guide Scope SV106 60mm F/4

Guide Camera: ZWO ASI178MM

Software: GraXpert, PixInsight, PS

Accessories: ZWO ASIAIR Plus, ZWO EAF, ZWO CAA, ZWO EFW 7x36 мм

Exposure:

27 x 300" ISO/Gain: 100 - Optolong 36mm R

31 x 300" ISO/Gain: 100 - Optolong 36mm G

29 x 300" ISO/Gain: 100 - Optolong 36mm B

Orange, Bortle 6 zone:

Kolomna, Russia

Mar 15th, 2026

7 h 15 m

Resolution: 6110x4068 px

Scale: 10156 KB

Evgeniy Sergeev

This is a chain of galaxies located in the center of the Virgo Cluster, approximately 50–60 million light-years from Earth. It begins with the galaxy M84 and continues to NGC 4477. The chain is named after the Armenian astrophysicist Benjamin Markarian. In the early 1960s, he suggested that several galaxies in this region share a common motion through space.

There is conflicting information online regarding the actual interaction of the galaxies in the chain. However, the definitely interacting galaxies in the chain are NGC 4438 and NGC 4435 (the "Eyes of Virgo"): they are in the process of active gravitational interaction. Tidal forces have already pulled long tails of gas and stars out of NGC 4438, and the galaxies are slowly approaching each other.

Several other galaxies from the Messier catalog can be seen in the image:
M87 - a giant elliptical galaxy
M89 - an elliptical galaxy
M90 - a spiral galaxy with a blueshift, indicating it is moving toward us.
As well as many other, smaller ones.

First light of my new astrograph Askar SQA 85, camera ZWO ASI2600MM Pro, rotator ZWO CAA, and 36mm filters.

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