NGC 178 | |
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![]() HST image of NGC 178 | |
Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Constellation | Cetus |
Right ascension | 00h 39m 08.392s [1] |
Declination | −14° 10′ 22.25″ [1] |
Redshift | 0.004863 [2] |
Heliocentric radial velocity | 1454.4 km/s [2] |
Distance | 67 Mly (20.6 Mpc) [3] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 12.6 [4] |
Apparent magnitude (B) | 13.6 [2] |
Characteristics | |
Type | SB(s)m [5] |
Size | 25 to 30 kly [4] |
Apparent size (V) | 1.85′ × 0.85′ [4] |
Other designations | |
IC 39, MCG -02-02-078, PGC 2349 [2] |
NGC 178 is a Magellanic spiral [5] galaxy in the constellation of Cetus. The compiler of the New General Catalogue, John Louis Emil Dreyer noted that NGC 178 was "faint, small, much extended 0°, brighter middle". It was discovered on November 3, 1885, by Ormond Stone. [4]
Due to its high rate of star formation NGC 178 is a starburst galaxy. [4] It is forming new stars at a rate of 0.55 M☉ per year. [3] The peculiar morphology of this galaxy may be a sign of it being a galaxy merger. [6]