NGC 3044
Galaxy in the constellation Sextans
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NGC 3044 is a barred spiral galaxy in the equatorial constellation of Sextans. It was discovered on December 13, 1784, by German-born English astronomer William Herschel.[9][10] In 1888, Danish astronomer J. L. E. Dreyer described it as "very faint, very large, very much extended 122°".[11] It is located at an estimated distance of 67 million light years.[2] In the B band of the UBV photometric system, the galaxy spans 4.70′ by 0.80′[5] with the major axis aligned along a position angle of 113°.[7] It is a relatively isolated galaxy with no nearby companions.[7] R. B. Tully in 1988 assigned it as a member of the widely displaced Leo Cloud.[3]
| NGC 3044 | |
|---|---|
legacy surveys image of NGC 3044 | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Sextans |
| Right ascension | 09h 53m 40.884s[1] |
| Declination | +01° 34′ 46.74″[1] |
| Heliocentric radial velocity | 1,289 km/s[2] |
| Galactocentric velocity | 1,130 km/s[2] |
| Distance | 67 Mly (20.6 Mpc)[2] |
| Group or cluster | Leo Cloud[3] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 12.5[4] |
| Apparent magnitude (B) | 12.4[5] |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | SBc[6] |
| Mass | 6.4×1010[7] M☉ |
| Notable features | Edge-on galaxy |
| Other designations | |
| IRAS 09511+0148, 2MASX J09534088+0134467, UGC 5311, LEDA 28517, MCG +00-25-031, PGC 28517, CGCG 007-056[8] | |
The morphological classification of NGC 3044 is SBc,[6] indicating a barred spiral (SB) with somewhat loosely-wound spiral arms (c). It is being viewed edge-on, with a galactic plane that is inclined at an angle of 79°±4° to the plane of the sky.[12] The disk appears lob-sided and disturbed, suggesting a recent merger or interaction. There is a diffuse ionized gas extending to 1 kpc above the center of the plane.[7]
The stars in the galaxy have a combined mass of approximately 1.01×1010 M☉,[6] and the star formation rate is 2.77 M☉·yr–1.[6] The total mass of the atomic gas in this galaxy is 3.5×109 M☉,[7] and it has a dust mass of 1.6×108 M☉.[3] The galaxy as a whole has a dynamic mass of 6.4×1010 M☉.[7]
One supernova has been observed in NGC 3044: SN 1983E (type II, mag. 14)[13] was discovered by Natalʹja Metlova on 13 March 1983, at an offset 29″ east, 11″ south of the galaxy.[14][15][16]