NGC 1055
Encyclopedia
NGC 1055 is an edge-on spiral galaxy
located in the constellation Cetus
that has a prominent nuclear bulge crossed by a wide, knotty, dark lane of dust and gas. The spiral arm structure appears to be elevated above the galaxy's plane and obscures the upper half of the bulge. Discovered on December 19, 1783 by William Herschel from his home in Slough England.
It is a binary system together with the bright spiral galaxy M77 (NGC 1068)
. These two are the largest galaxies of a small galaxy group that also includes NGC 1073
, and five other small irregular galaxies.
NGC 1087
, NGC 1090
, and NGC 1094 appear close, but they simply appear in the field of view and are background galaxies.
Based on the published red shift, (Hubble Constant of 62 km/s per Mpc) a rough distance estimate for NGC 1055 is 52 million light-years, with a diameter of about 115,800 light-years. The separation between NGC 1055 and M77 is about 442,000 light-years.
NGC 1055 is a bright infrared and radio source, particularly in the wavelength for warm carbon monoxide. Astronomers believe that this results from unusually active star formation. It most likely has a transitional nucleus, however, there is a small chance that it could be a LINER
.
Galaxy
A galaxy is a massive, gravitationally bound system that consists of stars and stellar remnants, an interstellar medium of gas and dust, and an important but poorly understood component tentatively dubbed dark matter. The word galaxy is derived from the Greek galaxias , literally "milky", a...
located in the constellation Cetus
Cetus
Cetus is a constellation. Its name refers to Cetus, a sea monster in Greek mythology, although it is often called 'the whale' today. Cetus is located in the region of the sky that contains other water-related constellations such as Aquarius, Pisces, and Eridanus.-Ecliptic:Although Cetus is not...
that has a prominent nuclear bulge crossed by a wide, knotty, dark lane of dust and gas. The spiral arm structure appears to be elevated above the galaxy's plane and obscures the upper half of the bulge. Discovered on December 19, 1783 by William Herschel from his home in Slough England.
It is a binary system together with the bright spiral galaxy M77 (NGC 1068)
Messier 77
Messier 77 is a barred spiral galaxy about 47 million light-years away in the constellation Cetus. Messier 77 is an active galaxy with an Active Galactic Nucleus , which is obscured from view by astronomical dust at visible wavelengths...
. These two are the largest galaxies of a small galaxy group that also includes NGC 1073
NGC 1073
NGC 1073 is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Cetus. It probably has a H II nucleus....
, and five other small irregular galaxies.
NGC 1087
NGC 1087
NGC 1087 is an intermediate spiral galaxy in Cetus. The central bar/core is very small with many irregular features in the surrounding disk of material. With the many strange features of NGC 1087, its true nature is still uncertain. It has an extremely small nucleus and a very short stellar bar....
, NGC 1090
NGC 1090
Galaxy NGC 1090 is a barred spiral galaxy with a pseudo inner ring. The disc has a very low surface brightness.This galaxy has been the site of two known supernovae ....
, and NGC 1094 appear close, but they simply appear in the field of view and are background galaxies.
Based on the published red shift, (Hubble Constant of 62 km/s per Mpc) a rough distance estimate for NGC 1055 is 52 million light-years, with a diameter of about 115,800 light-years. The separation between NGC 1055 and M77 is about 442,000 light-years.
NGC 1055 is a bright infrared and radio source, particularly in the wavelength for warm carbon monoxide. Astronomers believe that this results from unusually active star formation. It most likely has a transitional nucleus, however, there is a small chance that it could be a LINER
Liner
Liner or LINER may refer to:In line drawing:* Eye liner, a type of makeup* Liner, a sable brush used by coach paintersIn linings:...
.
External links
- Edge-on Spiral Galaxy NGC 1055 in Cetus, Kopernik Observatory & Science CenterKopernik Space CenterThe Kopernik Space Education Center is an observatory in Vestal, New York. In addition to operating a scientific observatory, the facility also provides outreach programs for community children, educating them about astronomy and science....
, Vestal, New YorkVestal, New YorkVestal is a town within Broome County in the Southern Tier of New York, and lies between the Susquehanna River and the Pennsylvania border. As of the 2000 census, the population was 26,535, estimated to have grown to 27,369 in 2009.... - Astronomy Picture of the DayAstronomy Picture of the DayAstronomy Picture of the Day is a website provided by NASA and Michigan Technological University . According to the website, "Each day a different image or photograph of our universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer."The photograph is not necessarily...
- NGC 1055: Galaxy in a Box 24 April 2010