NGC 4939

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NGC 4939
Ngc4939-hst-606.png
NGC 4939 imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation Virgo
Right ascension 13h 04m 14.3133s [1]
Declination −10° 20′ 22.417″ [1]
Redshift 0.010561 [1]
Heliocentric radial velocity 3166 ± 2 km/s [1]
Distance 118 ± 30 Mly (36.1 ± 9.4 Mpc) [1]
Apparent magnitude  (V)11.3 [2]
Characteristics
Type SA(s)bc [1]
Size~192,800  ly (59.10  kpc) (estimated) [1]
Apparent size  (V)5.5′ × 2.8′ [1]
Notable featuresSeyfert galaxy
Other designations
IRAS 13016-1004, MCG -02-33-104, PGC 45170 [1]

NGC 4939 is a large spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is located at a distance of about 120 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 4939 is about 190,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on March 25, 1786. [3]

Contents

Characteristics

NGC 4939 imaged by Adam Block in 2014. Noao-n4939block.jpg
NGC 4939 imaged by Adam Block in 2014.

NGC 4939 has been characterised as a Seyfert galaxy, a galaxy category which features bright point-like nuclei. NGC 4939 is a type II Seyfert galaxy. Its X-ray spectrum is more consistent with a Compton-thick cold reflection source, which means that the source is hidden behind dense material, mainly gas and dust, and the X-rays observed have been reflected, but a Compton-thin transmission model could not be ruled out. [4] The equivalent width of the FeKα line is large, indicating too that it is a Compton-thick source. [5] Further observations by Swift Observatory confirmed its Compton-thick nature. [6] The source of activity in the active galactic nuclei is a supermassive black hole (SMBH) lying at the centre of the galaxy. The SMBH at the centre of NGC 4939 is accreting material with a rate of 0.077 M☉ per year. [7] The black hole has been detected in hard X-rays, which are not absorbed by the Compton-thick column, by INTEGRAL. [8]

The galaxy has a large elliptical bulge and maybe a weak bar. It is a grand design spiral galaxy, with two tightly wrapped arms emanating from the bulge. The arms are thin, smooth and well defined and can be traced for nearly one and a half revolutions before fading. [9] Two symmetric arm sections or arcs are observed in the central part of the galaxy. [10] The galaxy is seen with an inclination of 56 degrees. The rotational speed of the galaxy is about 270 km/s. [11]

Supernovae

Five supernovae have been observed in NGC 4939:

Nearby galaxies

NGC 4939 belongs to a small galaxy group known as the NGC 4933 group, named after the multiple galaxy NGC 4933. [20] The group lies between the Local Supercluster and Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster. [21]

Related Research Articles

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Messier 83 or M83, also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy and NGC 5236, is a barred spiral galaxy approximately 15 million light-years away in the constellation borders of Hydra and Centaurus. Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered M83 on 17 February 1752 at the Cape of Good Hope. Charles Messier added it to his catalogue of nebulous objects in March 1781.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Messier 61</span> Galaxy in the constellation Virgo

Messier 61 is an intermediate barred spiral galaxy in the Virgo Cluster of galaxies. It was first discovered by Barnaba Oriani on May 5, 1779, six days before Charles Messier discovered the same galaxy. Messier had observed it on the same night as Oriani but had mistaken it for a comet. Its distance has been estimated to be 45.61 million light years from the Milky Way Galaxy. It is a member of the M61 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">Messier 84</span> Galaxy in the constellation Virgo

Messier 84 or M84, also known as NGC 4374, is a giant elliptical or lenticular galaxy in the constellation Virgo. Charles Messier discovered the object in 1781 in a systematic search for "nebulous objects" in the night sky. It is the 84th object in the Messier Catalogue and in the heavily populated core of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, part of the local 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 British astronomer William Herschel on April 6, 1785. The galaxy lies at a distance of approximately 40 megalight-years from the Milky Way. NGC 4725 is the brightest member of the Coma I Group of the Coma-Sculptor Cloud, although it is relatively isolated from the other members of this group. This galaxy is strongly disturbed and is interacting with neighboring spiral galaxy NGC 4747, with its spiral arms showing indications of warping. The pair have an angular separation of 24′, which corresponds to a projected linear separation of 370 kly. A tidal plume extends from NGC 4747 toward NGC 4725.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 772</span> Galaxy in the constellation Aries

NGC 772 is a large unbarred spiral galaxy approximately 106 million light-years away in the constellation Aries. It was discovered on 29 November 1785 by German-British astronomer William Herschel.

<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 4639</span> Galaxy in the constellation Virgo

NGC 4639 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the equatorial constellation of Virgo. It was discovered by German-born astronomer William Herschel on 12 April 1784. John L. E. Dreyer described it as "pretty bright, small, extended, mottled but not resolved, 12th magnitude star 1 arcmin to southeast". This is a relatively nearby galaxy, lying approximately 72 million light-years away from the Milky Way. It is a companion to NGC 4654, and the two appear to have interacted roughly 500 million years ago. NGC 4639 is a member of the Virgo Cluster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 3504</span> Galaxy in the constellation Leo Minor

NGC 3504 is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Leo Minor. It has a Hubble distance corresponding to 88 million light-years and was discovered by William Herschel in 1785.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 2770</span> Spiral galaxy in the constellation Lynx

NGC 2770 is a spiral galaxy in the northern constellation of Lynx, near the northern constellation border with Cancer. It was discovered by German-born astronomer William Herschel on December 7, 1785. J. L. E. Dreyer described it as, "faint, large, much extended 150°, mottled but not resolved, 2 stars to north". NGC 2770 was the target for the first binocular image produced by the Large Binocular Telescope.

<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 2276</span> Galaxy in the constellation Cepheus

NGC 2276 is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Cepheus. The galaxy lies 120 million light-years away from Earth. NGC 2276 has an asymmetrical appearance, most likely caused by gravitational interactions with its neighbor, elliptical galaxy NGC 2300. NGC 2276 is traveling with an orbital velocity of about 968 km/s due to its neighbor. Trailing NGC 2276 is a long tail of interstellar medium about 300,000 light-years long, formed by ram pressure stripping.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 1961</span> Galaxy in the constellation Camelopardis

NGC 1961 is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Camelopardalis. It was discovered by William Herschel on 3 December 1788. It is at a distance of about 200 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 1961 is more than 220,000 light years across.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 5643</span> Galaxy in the constellation Lupus

NGC 5643 is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Lupus. Based on the tip of the red-giant branch distance indicator, it is located at a distance of about 40 million light-years. NGC 5643 has an active galactic nucleus and is a type II Seyfert galaxy.

<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 about 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 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 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 about 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 536</span> Galaxy in the constellation Andromeda

NGC 536 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Andromeda. It is located at a distance of circa 200 million light-years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 536 is about 180,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on September 13, 1784. It is a member of Hickson Compact Group 10, which also includes the galaxies NGC 529, NGC 531, and NGC 542. It belongs to the Perseus–Pisces Supercluster.

<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 6951</span> Galaxy in the constellation Cepheus

NGC 6951 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Cepheus. It is located at a distance of about 75 million light-years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 6951 is about 100,000 light-years across. It was discovered by Jérôme Eugène Coggia in 1877 and independently by Lewis Swift in 1878.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NGC 3393</span> Galaxy in the constellation Hydra

NGC 3393 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Hydra. It is located at a distance of circa 180 million light-years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 3393 is about 140,000 light-years across. It was discovered by John Herschel on March 24, 1835. It is a Type II Seyfert galaxy, known to host two supermassive black holes, which are the nearest known pair of supermassive black holes to Earth.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Results for object NGC 4939". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. NASA and Caltech . Retrieved 2016-01-18.
  2. ↑ "Revised NGC Data for NGC 4939". spider.seds.org. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  3. ↑ Seligman, Courtney. "NGC 4939 (= PGC 45170)". Celestial Atlas. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  4. ↑ Maiolino, R.; Salvati, M.; Bassani, L.; Dadina, M.; della Ceca, R.; Matt, G.; Risaliti, G.; Zamorani, G. (October 1998). "Heavy obscuration in X-ray weak AGNs". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 338: 781–794. arXiv: astro-ph/9806055 . Bibcode:1998A&A...338..781M.
  5. ↑ Dadina, M. (4 October 2006). "BeppoSAX observations in the 2–100 keV band of the nearby Seyfert galaxies: an atlas of spectra". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 461 (3): 1209–1252. Bibcode:2007A&A...461.1209D. doi: 10.1051/0004-6361:20065734 .
  6. ↑ Vasudevan, Ranjan V.; Brandt, William N.; Mushotzky, Richard F.; Winter, Lisa M.; Baumgartner, Wayne H.; Shimizu, Thomas T.; Schneider, Donald. P.; Nousek, John (15 January 2013). "X-ray properties of the northern galactic cap sources in the 58 month Swift/BAT catalog". The Astrophysical Journal. 763 (2): 111. arXiv: 1212.2957 . Bibcode:2013ApJ...763..111V. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/763/2/111. S2CID   118854864.
  7. ↑ Diamond-Stanic, Aleksandar M.; Rieke, George H. (20 February 2012). "The relationship between black hole growth and star formation in Seyfert galaxies". The Astrophysical Journal. 746 (2): 168. arXiv: 1106.3565 . Bibcode:2012ApJ...746..168D. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/746/2/168. S2CID   119277531.
  8. ↑ "IGR J13042-1020: a massive black hole in spiral galaxy NGC 4939". sci.esa.int. ESA. 11 June 2010.
  9. ↑ Eskridge, Paul B.; Frogel, Jay A.; Pogge, Richard W.; Quillen, Alice C.; Berlind, Andreas A.; Davies, Roger L.; DePoy, D. L.; Gilbert, Karoline M.; Houdashelt, Mark L.; Kuchinski, Leslie E.; Ramirez, Solange V.; Sellgren, K.; Stutz, Amelia; Terndrup, Donald M.; Tiede, Glenn P. (November 2002). "Near-Infrared and Optical Morphology of Spiral Galaxies". The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. 143 (1): 73–111. arXiv: astro-ph/0206320 . Bibcode:2002ApJS..143...73E. doi:10.1086/342340. S2CID   15491635.
  10. ↑ Grosbøl, P.; Patsis, P. A.; Pompei, E. (12 August 2004). "Spiral galaxies observed in the near-infrared K band". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 423 (3): 849–859. doi: 10.1051/0004-6361:20035804 .
  11. ↑ Mitchell, Carl J.; Sellwood, J. A.; Williams, T. B.; Spekkens, Kristine; Kuzio de Naray, Rachel; Bixel, Alex (23 February 2018). "The RINGS Survey. III. Medium-resolution H-alpha Fabry–Pérot Kinematic Data Set". The Astronomical Journal. 155 (3): 123. arXiv: 1801.07750 . Bibcode:2018AJ....155..123M. doi: 10.3847/1538-3881/aaabb8 . S2CID   59472535.
  12. ↑ Marsden, Brian G. (3 December 1968). "Circular No. 2116". Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams. Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, IAU . Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  13. ↑ "SN 1968X". Transient Name Server. IAU . Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  14. ↑ "SN 1973J". Transient Name Server. IAU . Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  15. ↑ Winslow, D.; Li, W.; Filippenko, A. V. (2008). "Supernova 2008aw in NGC 4939". Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams. 1279: 1. Bibcode:2008CBET.1279....1W.
  16. ↑ "SN 2008aw". Transient Name Server. IAU . Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  17. ↑ Kim, H.; Zheng, W.; Li, W.; Filippenko, A. V.; Cenko, S. B. (2014). "Supernova 2014B in NGC 4939 = PSN J13041770-1020012". Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams. 3772: 1. Bibcode:2014CBET.3772....1K.
  18. ↑ "SN 2014B". Transient Name Server. IAU . Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  19. ↑ "SN 2020nif". Transient Name Server. IAU . Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ Richter, O. -G.; Huchtmeier, W. K. (1 March 1987). "HI observations of galaxies in between the Local and the Hydra/Centaurus superclusters". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series. 68: 427–467. Bibcode:1987A&AS...68..427R. ISSN   0365-0138.
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