NGC 3981

NGC 3981 is a large unbarred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Crater.^[4] Its velocity with respect to the cosmic microwave background is 2,078±25 km/s, which corresponds to a Hubble distance of 100.0 ± 7.1 Mly (30.65 ± 2.18 Mpc).^[3] However, 14 non-redshift measurements give a closer mean distance of 67.54 ± 3.00 Mly (20.707 ± 0.920 Mpc).^[5] It was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel on February 7, 1785.^[6][7]

ConstellationCrater

Right ascension11^h 56^m 07.4552^s[3]

Declination−19° 53′ 45.193″^[3]

Redshift0.005747±0.0000130^[3]

Quick facts Constellation, Right ascension ...

NGC 3981
NGC 3981 imaged by the DECam on the Víctor M. Blanco Telescope.[1]
Observation data (J2000[2] epoch)
Constellation	Crater
Right ascension	11h 56m 07.4552s[3]
Declination	−19° 53′ 45.193″[3]
Redshift	0.005747±0.0000130[3]
Heliocentric radial velocity	1,723±4 km/s[3]
Distance	65 Mly (19.9 Mpc)[2]
Group or cluster	NGC 4038 Group
Apparent magnitude (B)	11.75[2]
Characteristics
Type	SA(rs)bc[3]
Size	~269,200 ly (82.55 kpc)[3] (estimated)
Apparent size (V)	5.2′ × 2.3′[3]
Other designations
ESO 572- G 020, Arp 289, UGCA 255, MCG -03-31-001, PGC 037496, VV 008[3]

Close

NGC 3981 is a member of the NGC 4038 Group^{[8][9][10][11]} which is part of the Virgo Supercluster.^[9][12]