NGC 3226

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NGC 3226
Hubble Space Telescope image of NGC 3226 and NGC 3227.jpg
NGC 3227 (left) and NGC 3226 (right)
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation Leo
Right ascension 10h 23m 27.0s [1]
Declination +19° 53′ 55″ [1]
Redshift 1151 ± 10 km/s [1]
Apparent magnitude  (V)12.3 [1]
Characteristics
Type E2 pec [1]
Apparent size  (V)3.2′ × 2.8′ [1]
Other designations
HOLM 187B, Arp 94, UGC 5617, MCG +03-27-015, PGC 30440, CGCG 094-026, VV 209b [1]

NGC 3226 is a dwarf elliptical galaxy that is interacting with the spiral galaxy NGC 3227. They were both discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel on 15 February 1784. [2] The two galaxies are one of several examples of a spiral with a dwarf elliptical companion that are listed in the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies . [3] Both galaxies may be found in the constellation Leo. It is a member of the NGC 3227 Group of galaxies, which is a member of the Leo II Groups, a series of galaxies and galaxy clusters strung out from the right edge of the Virgo Supercluster. [4]

Contents

One supernova has been observed in NGC 3226: SN 1976K (type unknown, mag. 17) was discovered by Arnold Klemola on 21 December 1976. [5] [6]

Nucleus

NGC 3226 contains a low-ionization nuclear emission-line region (LINER), a type of region that is characterized by spectral line emission from weakly ionized atoms. [7] In general, the energy source for LINER emission has been a subject of debate among astronomers. Some astronomers have asserted that LINERs are powered by star formation regions, while other have asserted that LINERs are powered by active galactic nuclei (AGN) which contain supermassive black holes.

AGN

The nucleus of NGC 3226 appears to contain an AGN. The nucleus is a strong source of both radio [8] [9] and X-ray [10] emission that appears to be synchrotron emission, which is generated when electrons moving at high speeds oscillate within magnetic fields. Such synchrotron emission is expected from the environment around a supermassive black hole. The X-ray emission may also be variable, which is also expected in the environment of a supermassive black hole. [10]

Interstellar medium

It is possible that NGC 3226 may be acquiring gas from NGC 3227 during the interaction process, which would enhance star formation within NGC 3226. However, millimeter observations of NGC 3226 failed to detect any molecular gas within the galaxy. These results not only demonstrate that NGC 3226 contains little molecular gas but also demonstrate that the galaxy has acquired no gas from NGC 3227. [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

An active galactic nucleus (AGN) is a compact region at the center of a galaxy that emits a significant amount of energy across the electromagnetic spectrum, with characteristics indicating that this luminosity is not produced by the stars. Such excess, non-stellar emissions have been observed in the radio, microwave, infrared, optical, ultra-violet, X-ray and gamma ray wavebands. A galaxy hosting an AGN is called an active galaxy. The non-stellar radiation from an AGN is theorized to result from the accretion of matter by a supermassive black hole at the center of its host galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seyfert galaxy</span> Class of active galaxies with very bright nuclei

Seyfert galaxies are one of the two largest groups of active galaxies, along with quasar host galaxies. They have quasar-like nuclei with very high surface brightnesses whose spectra reveal strong, high-ionisation emission lines, but unlike quasars, their host galaxies are clearly detectable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sombrero Galaxy</span> Galaxy in the constellation Virgo

The Sombrero Galaxy is a peculiar galaxy of unclear classification in the constellation borders of Virgo and Corvus, being about 9.55 megaparsecs from the Milky Way galaxy. It is a member of the Virgo II Groups, a series of galaxies and galaxy clusters strung out from the southern edge of the Virgo Supercluster. It has an isophotal diameter of approximately 29.09 to 32.32 kiloparsecs, making it slightly bigger in size than the Milky Way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 3227</span> Galaxy in the constellation Leo

NGC 3227 is an intermediate spiral galaxy that is interacting with the dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC 3226. The two galaxies are one of several examples of a spiral with a dwarf elliptical companion that are listed in the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies. Both galaxies may be found in the constellation Leo. It is a member of the NGC 3227 Group of galaxies, which is a member of the Leo II Groups, a series of galaxies and galaxy clusters strung out from the right edge of the Virgo Supercluster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 520</span> Pair of colliding spiral galaxies in the constellation Pisces

NGC 520, also known as the Flying Ghost, is a pair of colliding spiral galaxies about 105 million light-years away in the constellation Pisces. They were discovered by astronomer William Herschel on 13 December 1784.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 5005</span> Galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici

NGC 5005, also known as Caldwell 29, is an inclined spiral galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. The galaxy has a relatively bright nucleus and a bright disk that contains multiple dust lanes. The galaxy's high surface brightness makes it an object that is visible to amateur astronomers using large amateur telescopes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Low-ionization nuclear emission-line region</span> Type of galactic nucleus

A low-ionization nuclear emission-line region (LINER) is a type of galactic nucleus that is defined by its spectral line emission. The spectra typically include line emission from weakly ionized or neutral atoms, such as O, O+, N+, and S+. Conversely, the spectral line emission from strongly ionized atoms, such as O++, Ne++, and He+, is relatively weak. The class of galactic nuclei was first identified by Timothy Heckman in the third of a series of papers on the spectra of galactic nuclei that were published in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 1672</span> Galaxy in the constellation Dorado

NGC 1672 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Dorado. It was discovered by the astronomer James Dunlop on November 5, 1826. It was originally unclear whether it was a member of the Dorado Group, with some sources finding it to be a member and other sources rejecting its membership. However, recent tip of the red-giant branch (TRGB) measurements indicate that NGC 1672 is located at the same distance as other members, suggesting it is indeed a member of the Dorado Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 708</span> Galaxy in the constellation Andromeda

NGC 708 is an elliptical galaxy located 240 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda and was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on September 21, 1786. It is classified as a cD galaxy and is the brightest member of Abell 262. NGC 708 is a weak FR I radio galaxy and is also classified as a type 2 Seyfert galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 7469</span> Galaxy located in the constellation Pegasus

NGC 7469 is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation of Pegasus. NGC 7469 is located about 200 million light-years away from Earth, which means, given its apparent dimensions, that NGC 7469 is approximately 90,000 light-years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on November 12, 1784.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 3367</span> Spiral galaxy in the constellation Leo

NGC 3367 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Leo. It is located at a distance of about 120 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 3367 is about 85,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on March 19, 1784.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 7130</span> Galaxy in the constellation Piscis Austrinus

NGC 7130 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Piscis Austrinus. It is located at a distance of about 220 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 7130 is about 100,000 light years across. It was discovered by John Herschel on September 25, 1834, and discovered independently by Lewis Swift on September 17, 1897. The location of the galaxy given in the New General Catalogue was off by 30 arcminutes in declination from the location of the galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 4636</span> Galaxy in the constellation Virgo

NGC 4636 is an elliptical galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is a member of the NGC 4753 Group of galaxies, which is a member of the Virgo II Groups, a series of galaxies and galaxy clusters strung out from the southern edge of the Virgo Supercluster. It is located at a distance of about 55 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 4636 is about 105,000 light years across.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 5846</span> Galaxy in the constellation Virgo

NGC 5846 is an elliptical galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is located at a distance of circa 90 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 5846 is about 110,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on February 24, 1786. It lies near 110 Virginis and is part of the Herschel 400 Catalogue. It is a member of the NGC 5846 Group of galaxies, itself one of the Virgo III Groups strung out to the east of the Virgo Supercluster of galaxies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 1386</span> Galaxy in the constellation Eridanus

NGC 1386 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Eridanus. It is located at a distance of circa 53 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 1386 is about 50,000 light years across. It is a Seyfert galaxy, the only one in Fornax Cluster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IC 1459</span> Elliptical galaxy in the constellation of Grus

IC 1459 is an elliptical galaxy located in the constellation Grus. It is located at a distance of circa 85 million light-years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that IC 1459 is about 130,000 light-years across. It was discovered by Edward Emerson Barnard in 1892.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 4278</span> Galaxy in the constellation Coma Berenices

NGC 4278 is an elliptical galaxy located in the constellation Coma Berenices. It is located at a distance of circa 55 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 4278 is about 65,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on March 13, 1785. NGC 4278 is part of the Herschel 400 Catalogue and can be found about one and 3/4 of a degree northwest of Gamma Comae Berenices even with a small telescope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 5363</span> Galaxy in the constellation Virgo

NGC 5363 is a lenticular galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is located at a distance of circa 65 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 5363 is about 100,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on January 19, 1784. It is a member of the NGC 5364 Group of galaxies, itself one of the Virgo III Groups strung out to the east of the Virgo Supercluster of galaxies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 2273</span> Galaxy in the constellation Lynx

NGC 2273 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Lynx. It is located at a distance of circa 95 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 2273 is about 100,000 light years across. It was discovered by Nils Dunér on September 15, 1867.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 1142</span> Interacting and distorted spiral galaxy in the constellation Cetus

NGC 1142 is a distorted spiral galaxy in the constellation of Cetus. It is located about 370 million light years away from Earth, which means, given its apparent dimensions, that NGC 1142 is approximately 170,000 light years across. It is a type 2 Seyfert galaxy. It interacts with the elliptical galaxy NGC 1141.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for NGC 3226. Retrieved 2007-01-14.
  2. ↑ Seligman, Courtney. "New General Catalogue Objects: NGC 3226". Celestial Atlas. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  3. ↑ H. Arp (1966). "Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies". Astrophysical Journal Supplement. 14: 1–20. Bibcode:1966ApJS...14....1A. doi:10.1086/190147.
  4. ↑ "The Leo III Groups". Atlas of the Universe. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  5. ↑ "SN 1976K". Transient Name Server. IAU . Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  6. ↑ Klemola, A. R.; Jones, B. F.; Harlan, E. A. (1977). "Supernova in NGC 3226". International Astronomical Union Circular (3029): 1. Bibcode:1977IAUC.3029....1K.
  7. ↑ L. C. Ho; A. V. Filippenko; W. L. W. Sargent (1997). "A Search for "Dwarf" Seyfert Nuclei. III. Spectroscopic Parameters and Properties of the Host Galaxies". Astrophysical Journal Supplement. 112 (2): 315–390. arXiv: astro-ph/9704107 . Bibcode:1997ApJS..112..315H. doi:10.1086/313041. S2CID   17086638.
  8. ↑ N. M. Nagar; H. Falcke; A. S. Wilson; L. C. Ho (2000). "Radio Sources in Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei. I. VLA Detections of Compact, Flat-Spectrum Cores". Astrophysical Journal. 542 (1): 186–196. arXiv: astro-ph/0005382 . Bibcode:2000ApJ...542..186N. doi:10.1086/309524. S2CID   14110152.
  9. ↑ H. Falcke; N. M. Nagar; A. S. Wilson; J. S. Ulvestad (2000). "Radio Sources in Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei. II. Very Long Baseline Interferometry Detections of Compact Radio Cores and Jets in a Sample of LINERs". Astrophysical Journal. 542 (1): 197–200. arXiv: astro-ph/0005383 . Bibcode:2000ApJ...542..197F. doi:10.1086/309543. S2CID   16753730.
  10. 1 2 I. M. George; R. F. Mushotzky; T. Yaqoob; T. J. Turner; et al. (2001). "X-Ray Emission from the Nucleus of the Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy NGC 3226". Astrophysical Journal. 559 (1): 167–172. arXiv: astro-ph/0105083 . Bibcode:2001ApJ...559..167G. doi:10.1086/322389. S2CID   12204003.
  11. ↑ H. Cullen; P. Alexander; M. H. Clemens (2006). "Gas in early-type galaxies: cross-fuelling in late-type-early-type pairs?". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society . 366 (1): 49–57. Bibcode:2006MNRAS.366...49C. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2005.09662.x .


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