NGC 1340

Lore & Background

NGC 1340 was first observed by William Herschel in 1790, but that observation was later cataloged as NGC 1344. The British astronomer John Herschel independently observed the galaxy on November 19, 1835, and it is this later observation that received the designation NGC 1340 in the New General Catalog. The galaxy is an elliptical type located in the southern constellation Fornax.

It belongs to the NGC 1399 group, a collection of at least 42 galaxies that is itself a component of the larger Fornax cluster. Other notable members of this group include NGC 1326, NGC 1336, NGC 1339, NGC 1351, NGC 1366, NGC 1369, NGC 1373, NGC 1374, NGC 1379, NGC 1387, NGC 1399, NGC 1406, NGC 1419, NGC 1425, NGC 1427, NGC 1428, NGC 1436 (also known as NGC 1437), NGC 1460, IC 1913, and IC 1919.

Distance measurements for NGC 1340 show some variation. Its speed relative to the cosmic microwave background gives a Hubble distance of 16.6 ± 1.2 Mpc (~54.1 million light-years). However, 34 non-redshift measurements yield an average distance of 18.688 ± 3.160 Mpc (~61 million light-years), which falls within the range of the Hubble distance.

Reader's Guide

NGC 1340 holds significance as a member of the NGC 1399 group, one of the major subgroups within the Fornax cluster. The Fornax cluster is a prominent nearby galaxy cluster, and studying its constituent groups helps astronomers understand the structure and dynamics of galaxy clustering on intermediate scales. The galaxy's dual NGC designations (1340 and 1344) illustrate the historical process of cataloging celestial objects, where independent observations by William Herschel and his son John Herschel led to separate entries in the New General Catalog for what is now recognized as the same galaxy. This case highlights the importance of cross-referencing historical observations with modern data. The distance measurements for NGC 1340, derived from both redshift and non-redshift methods, provide a useful check on the consistency of cosmic distance scales. The non-redshift distances, based on 34 independent measurements, agree within uncertainties with the Hubble distance, supporting the reliability of both techniques. As part of a group containing at least 42 galaxies, NGC 1340 contributes to the overall mass and gravitational environment of the NGC 1399 group, which in turn influences the evolution of its member galaxies through interactions and the group's potential well.

Did You Know?

• NGC 1340 was discovered by William Herschel in 1790, but that observation was cataloged as NGC 1344.
• John Herschel observed the galaxy on November 19, 1835, and that observation became NGC 1340.
• The galaxy is part of the NGC 1399 group, which contains at least 42 galaxies and is a component of the Fornax cluster.
• 34 non-redshift measurements give an average distance of 18.688 ± 3.160 Mpc, within the Hubble distance range.