NGC 6744
Galaxy in the constellation Pavo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
NGC 6744 (also known as Caldwell 101 or the Pavo Galaxy[4]) is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Pavo (Peacock). Its velocity with respect to the cosmic microwave background is 802 ± 3 km/s, which corresponds to a Hubble distance of 38.6 ± 2.7 Mly (11.82 ± 0.83 Mpc).[1] However, 21 non redshift measurements give a distance of 23.63 ± 1.68 Mly (7.244 ± 0.514 Mpc).[2] It was discovered on 30 June 1826 by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop, observing from Parramatta, Australia.[5] It has a mass of 5.92×1010 M☉.[3]
| NGC 6744 | |
|---|---|
Wide Field Imager view of a Milky Way look-alike NGC 6744 | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Pavo |
| Right ascension | 19h 09m 46.1785s[1] |
| Declination | −63° 51′ 26.992″[1] |
| Redshift | 0.002805[1] |
| Heliocentric radial velocity | 841 ± 2 km/s[1] |
| Distance | 23.63 ± 1.68 Mly (7.244 ± 0.514 Mpc)[2] |
| Group or cluster | Virgo Supercluster |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.14[1] |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | SAB(r)bc[1] |
| Mass | 5.92×1010[3] M☉ |
| Size | ~171,800 ly (52.68 kpc) (estimated)[1] |
| Apparent size (V) | 20.0′ × 12.9′[1] |
| Other designations | |
| Caldwell 101, ESO 104- G 042, IRAS 19051-6357, PGC 62836[1] | |
One of the largest spiral galaxies in the local universe, NGC 6744 is considered a Milky Way mimic in the immediate vicinity, displaying remarkable star formation, flocculent (fluffy) arms, and an elongated core.[6][7] It has at least one distorted companion galaxy (NGC 6744A) superficially similar to one of the Magellanic Clouds.[8]
NGC 6744 is a LINER galaxy, i.e., its nucleus has an emission spectrum characterized by broad lines of weakly ionized atoms.[7] The galaxy has an active galactic nucleus (AGN) of low luminosity.[7]
NGC 6744 lies within the Virgo Supercluster.[9][10]
Supernovae
Two supernovae have been observed in NGC 6744:
- R. Martin and Berto Monard discovered SN 2005at (Type Ic, mag. 16) on 15 March 2005.[11][12]
- BlackGEM discovered another astronomical transient, designated SN 2024vjm, on 13 September 2024.[13] After initial Spectral analysis, the star was classified as a peculiar nova, but further observations showed the object to be a faint Type Iax supernova, likely the closest known of this type.[14][15][16]
Gallery
Euclid's view of spiral galaxy NGC 6744
The nucleus of NGC 6744 imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope
See also
- List of NGC objects (6001–7000)
- NGC 2336 – another spiral galaxy of similar size and shape
- NGC 1232
- SPT0418-47 – a spiral galaxy of similar size and shape when the universe was 1.4 billion years old
- UGC 12158
- UGC 6093
- Milky Way
