Astronomy:UGCA 292

From HandWiki
UGCA 292
Image of UGCA 292 by the Hubble Space Telescope
Observation data
ConstellationCanes Venatici
Right ascension12h 38m
Declination+32° 45'
Distance10 million ly
Characteristics
TypeDwarf irregular
Notable featuresGas rich and metal poor
Other designations
CVn I dwA

UGCA 292 (also known as CVn l dwA) is an extremely metal-poor irregular dwarf galaxy being the third lowest metallicity galaxy discovered. It also has the record for being of the nearest metal-poor galaxies known. It is located at a relatively nearby distance of 3.1 mpc in the constellation of Canes Venatici.[1][2]

The galaxy is unevolved with lots of gas making up a significant fraction the galaxies mass and the low metallicity.[3]

Scientific importance

Due to its close distance to our galaxy (the Milky Way), it provides a unique opportunity to study gas rich galaxies with high star formation but low metallicity. The close proximity also makes it possible to resolve stellar populations.[1]

References