NGC 3631

Last updated
NGC 3631
Hubble Looks at a Face-On Grand Spiral.jpg
NGC 3631 by Hubble Space Telescope
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation Ursa Major
Right ascension 11h 21m 02.9s [1]
Declination 53° 10′ 10″ [1]
Redshift 1.156 ± 1 km/s [1]
Distance 33.7 ± 17.7 Mly (10.3 ± 5.4 Mpc) [1]
Apparent magnitude  (V)10.1
Characteristics
Type SA(s)c [1]
Apparent size  (V)5.0′ × 4.8′ [1]
Other designations
UGC 6360, Arp 27, MCG +09-19-047, VV 363, PGC 34767 [1]

NGC 3631 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. It is located at a distance of about 35 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 3631 is about 60,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on April 14, 1789. [2] It is a grand design spiral galaxy seen face on.

Contents

Characteristics

NGC 3631 is a grand design spiral galaxy and features two principal spiral arms, which begin near the center. The two main arms branch into secondary arms with lower surface brightness. The galaxy shows moderate-to-high star formation rate and bright HII regions are present in all the arms. [3] The star formation rate of the galaxy is 4.6 M☉ per year. [4] Halton Arp observed "straight arms", and an "absorption tube crossing from inside to outside of southern arm" and added the galaxy to his Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies. [5] At inclination of 17 degrees, [5] the galaxy is seen nearly face on.

The HI imaging shows the spiral arms distinguished well and HI is also detected in most of the interarm regions. The atomic hydrogen is detected mostly within the limits of the optical disc but also extends one and a half times the radius of the optical disk. The hydrogen forms streaming motions near the spiral arms. [6] The gas features two anticyclonic and four cyclonic vortices, rotating with the spiral pattern. The anticyclones are caused by the differential rotation and the cyclones are the result of a high amplitude in the density wave. The centres of the anticyclones are located between the observed spiral arms and the cyclones lie close to the observed spirals. [5]

NGC 3631 has weak diffuse X-ray emission. [7] There are six candidates ultraluminous X-ray sources in disk of the galaxy, two which have an optical counterpart. [8] The nucleus of the galaxy hosts a supermassive black hole with mass 107.4 (25 million) M☉, based on Ks bulge luminosity. [9]

Supernovae

Four supernovae have been discovered in NGC 3631: SN 1964A (mag. 17 [10] ), SN 1965L (mag. 15.95 [11] ), SN 1996bu, and SN 2016bau. SN 1996bu was a type II supernova discovered on November 14, 1996 and reached peak visual magnitude 17.3. [12] SN 2016bau was a type Ib supernova discovered before maximum light. [13] It was also observed in radio waves by the VLA as a radio source with a flux density of 1.0 ± 0.03 mJy at 8.6 GHz. [14]

Nearby galaxies

NGC 3631 forms a small group with NGC 3657, [15] which is part of the north Ursa Major groups, part of the Virgo Supercluster. [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Messier 95</span> Galaxy in the constellation Leo

Messier 95, also known as M95 or NGC 3351, is a barred spiral galaxy about 33 million light-years away in the zodiac constellation Leo. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781, and catalogued by compatriot Charles Messier four days later. In 2012 its most recent supernova was discovered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Messier 108</span> Galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major

Messier 108 is a barred spiral galaxy about 28 million light-years away from Earth in the northern constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781 or 1782. From the Earth, this galaxy is seen almost edge-on.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 3982</span> Galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major

NGC 3982, also known as UGC 6918, is an intermediate spiral galaxy approximately 68 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered by William Herschel on April 14, 1789, and misclassified as a planetary nebula. NGC 3982 is a part of the M109 Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 6946</span> Galaxy in the constellations Cepheus & Cygnus

NGC 6946, sometimes referred to as the Fireworks Galaxy, is a face-on intermediate spiral galaxy with a small bright nucleus, whose location in the sky straddles the boundary between the northern constellations of Cepheus and Cygnus. Its distance from Earth is about 25.2 million light-years or 7.72 megaparsecs, similar to the distance of M101 in the constellation Ursa Major. Both were once considered to be part of the Local Group, but are now known to be among the dozen bright spiral galaxies near the Milky Way but beyond the confines of the Local Group. NGC 6946 lies within the Virgo Supercluster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 4725</span> Galaxy in the constellation Coma Berenices

NGC 4725 is an intermediate barred spiral galaxy with a prominent ring structure, located in the northern constellation of Coma Berenices near the north galactic pole. It was discovered by German-born astronomer William Herschel on April 6, 1785. The galaxy lies at a distance of approximately 40 megalight-years from the Milky Way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 1566</span> Galaxy in the constellation Dorado

NGC 1566, sometimes known as the Spanish Dancer, is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Dorado, positioned about 3.5° to the south of the star Gamma Doradus. It was discovered on May 28, 1826 by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop. At 10th magnitude, it requires a telescope to view. The distance to this galaxy remains elusive, with measurements ranging from 6 Mpc up to 21 Mpc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 7424</span> Galaxy in the constellation Grus

NGC 7424 is a barred spiral galaxy located 37.5 million light-years away in the southern constellation Grus. Its size makes it similar to our own galaxy, the Milky Way. It is called a "grand design" galaxy because of its well defined spiral arms. Two supernovae and two ultraluminous X-ray sources have been discovered in NGC 7424.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 5584</span> Galaxy in the constellation Virgo

NGC 5584 is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo. It was discovered July 27, 1881 by American astronomer E. E. Barnard. Distance determination using Cepheid variable measurements gives an estimate of 75 million light years, whereas the tip of the red-giant branch approach yields a distance of 73.4 million light years. It is receding with a heliocentric radial velocity of 1,637 km/s. It is a member of the Virgo III Groups, a series of galaxies and galaxy clusters strung out to the east of the Virgo Supercluster of galaxies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 1084</span> Galaxy in the constellation Eridanus

NGC 1084 is an unbarred spiral galaxy in the constellation Eridanus. It is located at a distance of about 63 million light-years away from the Milky Way. The galaxy was discovered by William Herschel on 10 January 1785. It has multiple spiral arms, which are not well defined. It belongs in the same galaxy group with NGC 988, NGC 991, NGC 1022, NGC 1035, NGC 1042, NGC 1047, NGC 1052 and NGC 1110. This group is in turn associated with the Messier 77 group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 1964</span> Galaxy in the constellation Lepus

NGC 1964 is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Lepus. The galaxy lies 65 million light years away from Earth, which means, given its apparent dimensions, that NGC 1964 is approximately 100,000 light years across. At its center lies a supermassive black hole, with estimated mass 2.5 × 107M☉. The galaxy features two tightly wound inner spiral arms within a disk with high surface brightness and two outer, more open spiral arms that originate near the inner ring. The outer arms feature few small HII regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 4274</span> Galaxy in the constellation Coma Berenices

NGC 4274 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Coma Berenices. It is located at a distance of circa 45 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 4274 is about 95,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1785.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 4699</span> Spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo

NGC 4699 is an intermediate spiral 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 4699 is about 85,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1786. It is a member of the NGC 4699 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 3675</span> Galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major

NGC 3675 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. It is located at a distance of circa 50 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 3675 is about 100,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1788.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 3941</span> Galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major

NGC 3941 is a barred lenticular galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. It is located at a distance of circa 40 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 3941 is about 40,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1787.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 4026</span> Galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major

NGC 4026 is an edge-on lenticular galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major. It is located at a distance of circa 50 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 4026 is about 80,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on April 12, 1789.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 3147</span> Galaxy in the constellation Draco

NGC 3147 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Draco. It is located at a distance of circa 130 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 3147 is about 140,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on April 3, 1785. It is a Type II Seyfert galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 2336</span> Galaxy in the constellation Camelopardalis

NGC 2336 is a Barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Camelopardalis. It is located at a distance of circa 100 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 2336 is about 200,000 light years across. It was discovered by Wilhelm Tempel in 1876.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 5965</span> Spiral galaxy in the constellation Draco

NGC 5965 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Draco. It is located at a distance of circa 150 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 5965 is about 260,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on May 5, 1788.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 6907</span> Galaxy in the constellation Capricornus

NGC 6907 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Capricornus. It is located at a distance of about 120 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 6907 is about 115,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on July 12, 1784. The total infrared luminosity of the galaxy is 1011.03 L☉, and thus it is categorised as a luminous infrared galaxy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 4076</span> Galaxy in the constellation Coma Berenices

NGC 4076 is a spiral galaxy located 290 million light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenices. The galaxy was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on April 27, 1785 and is a member of the NGC 4065 Group.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for NGC 3631. Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  2. ↑ NGC 3631 cseligman.com
  3. ↑ Sandage, A., Bedke, J. (1994) The Carnegie Atlas of Galaxies. Volume I, Carnegie Institution of Washington
  4. ↑ Mineo, S.; Gilfanov, M.; Lehmer, B. D.; Morrison, G. E.; Sunyaev, R. (11 January 2014). "X-ray emission from star-forming galaxies – III. Calibration of the LX-SFR relation up to redshift z ≈ 1.3". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 437 (2): 1698–1707. arXiv: 1207.2157 . Bibcode:2014MNRAS.437.1698M. doi:10.1093/mnras/stt1999. S2CID   119190124.
  5. 1 2 3 Fridman, A. M.; Khoruzhii, O. V.; Polyachenko, E. V.; Zasov, A. V.; Sil'Chenko, O. K.; Moiseev, A. V.; Burlak, A. N.; Afanasiev, V. L.; Dodonov, S. N.; Knapen, J. H. (21 May 2001). "Gas motions in the plane of the spiral galaxy NGC 3631". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 323 (3): 651–662. arXiv: astro-ph/0012116 . Bibcode:2001MNRAS.323..651F. doi:10.1046/j.1365-8711.2001.04218.x. S2CID   119517678.
  6. ↑ Knapen, J. H. (1 April 1997). "Atomic hydrogen in the spiral galaxy NGC 3631". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 286 (2): 403–414. arXiv: astro-ph/9612137 . Bibcode:1997MNRAS.286..403K. doi:10.1093/mnras/286.2.403. S2CID   13901223.
  7. ↑ Mineo, S.; Gilfanov, M.; Sunyaev, R. (1 November 2012). "X-ray emission from star-forming galaxies - II. Hot interstellar medium". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 426 (3): 1870–1883. arXiv: 1205.3715 . Bibcode:2012MNRAS.426.1870M. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2012.21831.x. S2CID   85507925.
  8. ↑ Smith, Beverly J.; Swartz, Douglas A.; Miller, Olivia; Burleson, Jacob A.; Nowak, Michael A.; Struck, Curtis (1 June 2012). "ChAInGeS: The Chandra Arp Interacting Galaxies Survey". The Astronomical Journal. 143 (6): 144. arXiv: 1204.3194 . Bibcode:2012AJ....143..144S. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/143/6/144. S2CID   17427760.
  9. ↑ Dong, X. Y.; De Robertis, M. M. (March 2006). "Low-Luminosity Active Galaxies and Their Central Black Holes". The Astronomical Journal. 131 (3): 1236–1252. arXiv: astro-ph/0510694 . Bibcode:2006AJ....131.1236D. doi:10.1086/499334. S2CID   17630682.
  10. ↑ "1964A - The Open Supernova Catalog". sne.space. Archived from the original on 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  11. ↑ "1965L - The Open Supernova Catalog". sne.space. Archived from the original on 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  12. ↑ "1996bu - The Open Supernova Catalog". sne.space. Archived from the original on 2017-10-18. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  13. ↑ Granata, V.; Benetti, S.; Cappellaro, E.; Elias-Rosa, N.; Pastorello, A.; Tomasella, L.; Nascimbeni, V.; Ochner, P.; Tartaglia, L.; Terreran, G.; Turatto, M. (March 15, 2016). "Asiago spectroscopic and photometric observations of AT2016bau". The Astronomer's Telegram. 8818: 1. Bibcode:2016ATel.8818....1G.
  14. ↑ Kamble, Atish; Margutti, Raffaella; Alexander, Kate; Berger, Edo; Cantiello, Matteo; Challis, Pete; Chomiuk, Laura; Guidorzi, Christiano; Kirshner, Robert; Milisavljevic, Danny; De Mink, Selma; Parrent, Jerod; Soderberg, Alicia; Zapartas, Emmanouil; Zauderer, Ashley (April 5, 2016). "VLA observations of SN 2016bau of Type Ib in NGC 3631". The Astronomer's Telegram. 8911: 1. Bibcode:2016ATel.8911....1K.
  15. ↑ Makarov, Dmitry; Karachentsev, Igor (21 April 2011). "Galaxy groups and clouds in the local (z~ 0.01) Universe". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 412 (4): 2498–2520. arXiv: 1011.6277 . Bibcode:2011MNRAS.412.2498M. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.18071.x. S2CID   119194025. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  16. ↑ "The Ursa Major Groups". www.atlasoftheuniverse.com.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.