NGC 5032

Lore & Background

NGC 5032 was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel on 11 April 1785. It is classified as a LINER galaxy, meaning its nucleus emits spectral lines from weakly ionized or neutral atoms, with relatively weak emission from strongly ionized atoms. Gérard de Vaucouleurs assigned it the morphological type (R′)SAB(rs)b in his atlas of galaxies.

The galaxy forms an interacting pair with NGC 5032B, and Erik Holmberg included the pair in his catalog of double and multiple galaxies under the designation Holm 513. NGC 5032 is also located on the outskirts of the Coma Cluster, where it is identified as ComaFC 370. Two Type Ia supernovae have been observed in NGC 5032: SN 2016iuc (magnitude 16.7, discovered by the Gaia Photometric Science Alerts on 7 December 2016) and SN 2024rkc (magnitude 18.704, discovered by ATLAS on 5 August 2024).

Reader's Guide

NGC 5032 is significant as a barred spiral galaxy with a LINER-type nucleus, a classification that helps astronomers study the processes of weakly ionized gas in galactic centers. Its inclusion in Gérard de Vaucouleurs' morphological atlas provides a reference for galaxy classification. The galaxy's interaction with NGC 5032B, cataloged as Holm 513, contributes to the study of galaxy pairs and tidal interactions. Its position on the outskirts of the Coma Cluster, identified as ComaFC 370, offers context for understanding the distribution of galaxies within and around massive clusters. The two recorded Type Ia supernovae, SN 2016iuc and SN 2024rkc, provide data for studying stellar explosions and their use as standard candles. The galaxy's discovery by William Herschel in 1785 places it within the historical catalog of deep-sky objects.

Did You Know?

• NGC 5032 was discovered by William Herschel on 11 April 1785.
• It is classified as a LINER galaxy, with weakly ionized atomic emission lines.