Astronomy:NGC 88

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NGC 88
File:NGC 88.jpg
NGC 88 (center) surrounded by the other galaxies in Robert's Quartet
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ConstellationPhoenix
Right ascension 00h 21m 21.8s[1]
Declination−48° 38′ 25″[1]
Redshift0.011408[2]
Distance160 Mly
Apparent magnitude (V)14.1[1]
Characteristics
TypeSB(s)a pec[2]
Apparent size (V)0.8′ × 0.5′[1]
Other designations
PGC 1370, ESO 194-G010

NGC 88 is an interacting peculiar spiral galaxy located approximately 160 million light-years (49 Mpc) away in the constellation Phoenix.[3] It is a physical member of Robert's Quartet (HCG 92), a compact group of four interacting galaxies.[2] The galaxy has an apparent visual magnitude of 14.1.[2]

Physical Characteristics and Environment

NGC 88 features a faint, diffuse outer envelope of gas and dust that has been tidally extended due to ongoing gravitational interactions with its neighboring group members, particularly NGC 87 and NGC 89.[3] High-resolution imaging obtained by the Very Large Telescope demonstrates that these interactions have induced mild star-forming regions within its distorted spiral arms.[3] The galaxy has an apparent angular size of 0′.8 × 0′.5 arcminutes, which at its light-travel distance of 160 million light-years translates to a physical diameter of approximately 35,000 light-years.[4]

Discovery

NGC 88 was discovered by English astronomer John Herschel on September 30, 1834, using an 18.7-inch reflecting telescope at the Cape of Good Hope.[5]

References

  • Template:Deprecated archive
  • "ESO - 2005 - Cosmic Portrait of a Perturbed Family" (Press release). ESO European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere. November 4, 2005. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-29.

Template:Robert's Quartet

Template:NGC objects: 1-1000

Coordinates: Sky map 00h 21m 21.8s, −48° 38′ 25″