NGC 7172 | |
---|---|
Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Constellation | Piscis Austrinus |
Right ascension | 22h 02m 01.9s [2] |
Declination | −31° 52′ 11″ [2] |
Redshift | 0.008683 ± 0.000040 [2] |
Heliocentric radial velocity | 2,603 ± 12 km/s [2] |
Distance | 110 Mly (34 Mpc) [2] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 11.9 |
Characteristics | |
Type | Sa pec [2] |
Apparent size (V) | 2.5′ × 1.4′ [2] |
Notable features | Seyfert galaxy |
Other designations | |
ESO 466- G 038, AM 2159-320, MCG -05-52-007, PGC 67874 [2] |
NGC 7172 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Piscis Austrinus. It is located at a distance of about 110 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 7172 is about 100,000 light years across. [2] It was discovered by John Herschel on September 23, 1834. [3]
NGC 7172 is a spiral galaxy that is seen edge-on. A thick dark dust lane runs across the galaxy, obscuring the nucleus of the galaxy. [1] [4] The galaxy appears in deep photographs to be tidally distorted, and a diffuse tail is extending towards the north-west. [5]
The nucleus of NGC 7172 was originally considered to be normal, [6] but later observations revealed that it emitted X-rays [7] [8] and was a powerful infrared source, which exhibited variation. [5] These findings indicated that NGC 7172 has an active galactic nucleus which is obstructed in optical wavelengths. [5] The nucleus was classified as a type 2 Seyfert galaxy in the optical, but observations in other wavelengths suggest it is type 1 Seyfert galaxy. [9] The source of activity of the nucleus is an accretion disk around a supermassive black hole. The mass of the supermassive black hole in the centre of NGC 7172 is estimated to be 5.5×107 M☉ based on the MBH–σ⋆ relation [10] or (1.03±0.35)×107 M☉ based on the X-ray scaling method. [11]
NGC 7172 has been found to exhibit variability in X-rays. As observed by the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA), the galaxy exhibited short term variability of about 30% in the time scale of hours, which is common for Seyfert I galaxies. It also exhibits long term variability, as it dimmed three to four times between 1995 and 1996. [12] This was also observed by BeppoSAX. [13] The FeKα line appeared constant when observed with BeppoSAX, but appeared to variate by a factor of two by ASCA, and thus it is associated with an accretion disk. [14] The hard X-ray spectrum appears similar to that of a Seyfert I galaxy, indicating that the nucleus is seen though a Compton-thin absorber. [15]
In infrared observations of the nucleus dominates the spectrum of the active nucleus, with 3.4-μm carbonaceous dust absorption detected, but no 3.3-μm PAH emission, indicating that the nucleus is obstructed. A strong obsurption feature is observed, probably the 9.7-μm silicate dust absorption line. [16] X-rays and mid-infrared have similar absorption columns. [17] It is possible that an outflow towards the southwest is detected in radiowaves. [9]
NGC 7172 is part of the Hickson Compact Group 90. NGC 7172 lies 6 arcminutes north of the core of the compact group, which is comprised by the elliptical galaxies NGC 7173, and NGC 7174, and disturbed spiral galaxy NGC 7176; these three galaxies lie within 6 arcminutes from each other. [18]
The compact group is surrounded by a more loose group, with 19 galaxies of similar redshift within 1.5 degrees from the core group. [18] Garcia identified as members of this group the galaxies NGC 7154, ESO 404- 12, NGC 7163, ESO 466- 36, ESO 466- 46, ESO 404- 27, NGC 7187, IC 5156, ESO 404- 39, and ESO 466- 51. [19] Other nearby galaxies include NGC 7135 and its group, NGC 7204, and NGC 7208. [20]
Seyfert galaxies are one of the two largest groups of active galaxies, along with quasars. 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.
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.
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.
NGC 4698 is a barred spiral galaxy located around 55 million light years away from Earth in the constellation of Virgo. It belongs to the Virgo Cluster of galaxies and is positioned near the northeastern edge of this assemblage. The morphological classification of NGC 4698 in the De Vaucouleurs system is SA(s)ab, which indicates a purely spiral structure with moderate to tightly wound arms. It is inclined to the line of sight from the Earth by an angle of 53° along a position angle of 170°.
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.
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.
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.
NGC 7213 is a lenticular galaxy located in the constellation Grus. It is located at a distance of circa 70 million light-years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 7213 is about 75,000 light-years across. It was discovered by John Herschel on September 30, 1834. It is an active galaxy with characteristics between a type I Seyfert galaxy and LINER.
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.
NGC 3511 is an intermediate spiral galaxy located in the constellation Crater. It is located at a distance of circa 45 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 3511 is about 70,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on December 21, 1786. It lies two degrees west of Beta Crateris.
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.
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.
NGC 931 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Triangulum. It is located at a distance of circa 200 million light-years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 931 is about 200,000 light years across. It was discovered by Heinrich d'Arrest on September 26, 1865. It is classified as a Seyfert galaxy.
NGC 7679 is a lenticular galaxy with a peculiar morphology in the constellation Pisces. It is located at a distance of circa 200 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 7679 is about 60,000 light years across. It was discovered by Heinrich d'Arrest on September 23, 1864. The total infrared luminosity is 1011.05 L☉, and thus it is categorised as a luminous infrared galaxy. NGC 7679 is both a starburst galaxy and a Seyfert galaxy.
NGC 4324 is a lenticular galaxy located about 85 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo. It was discovered by astronomer Heinrich d'Arrest on March 4, 1862. NGC 4324 has a stellar mass of 5.62 × 1010M☉, and a baryonic mass of 5.88 × 1010M☉. The galaxy's total mass is around 5.25 × 1011M☉. NGC 4324 is notable for having a ring of star formation surrounding its nucleus. It was considered a member of the Virgo II Groups until 1999, when its distance was recalculated and it was placed in the Virgo W Group.
NGC 3516 is a barred lenticular galaxy in the constellation of Ursa Major. NGC 3516 is located about 150 million light years away from Earth, which means, given its apparent dimensions, that NGC 3516 is approximately 100,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on April 3, 1785.
NGC 5506 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is located at a distance of about 75 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 5506 is about 80,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on April 15, 1787. It is a Seyfert galaxy.
NGC 4593 is a barred 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 4593 is about 125,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on April 17, 1784. It is a Seyfert galaxy.
NGC 2110 is a lenticular galaxy located in the constellation Orion. It is located at a distance of about 120 million light years from Earth, which, given its apparent dimensions, means that NGC 2110 is about 90,000 light years across. It was discovered by William Herschel on October 5, 1785. It is a Seyfert galaxy.
NGC 5135 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Hydra. It is located at a distance of about 200 million light years from Earth. It was discovered by John Herschel on May 8, 1834. It is a Seyfert galaxy.