NGC 7771 Galaxy Group

History
The three galaxies were discovered on September 18, 1784 by the German-British astronomer William Herschel with his 18.7 inch reflecting telescope. He cataloged them as II 230 (NGC 7769) and II 231 (NGC 7770 and NGC 7771). Herschels class II stood for faint nebulae. [277, 463]
Physical Properties
The galaxies are in gravitational interaction with each other. NGC 7771 is undergoing a massive star formation spurt, which may have been caused by the dwarf galaxy NGC 7770. This appears to be in the early stages of a merger with NGC 7771. The resulting tidal disturbances may have caused the apparent two-armed spiral pattern and forced a significant portion of the disk gas inward. [438] Distances range from 58 Mpc to 63 Mpc (189 to 205 million light years) [145]
Finder Chart
The NGC 7771 galaxy group is located in the constellation Pegasus. The best observation time is June to November, when it is highest at night.
