NGC 1374

Lore & Background

NGC 1374 was discovered by John Herschel on November 29, 1837. It is an early-type galaxy with a Hubble classification of E1, indicating a flattening of 10%, but it also shows a subtle differentiation of light about halfway out of radius, suggesting a transition to an S0 classification. The galaxy has a bright core surrounded by a soft hazy halo.

The galaxy may form a pair with another nearby galaxy, NGC 1375, but this is uncertain based on the estimated distance of NGC 1375. The closest galaxy after NGC 1375, outside the pair, is NGC 1373. Despite their name, early-type galaxies are much older than spiral galaxies and mostly comprise old, red-colored stars. Very little star formation occurs in these galaxies; the lack of star formation in elliptical galaxies appears to start at the center and then slowly propagates outward.

NGC 1374 has an estimated globular cluster population of 360 ± 17. There are blue and red globular clusters, although red globulars are more populous than blue ones. A similar trend is present in NGC 1379 and NGC 1387. These globular clusters, like globulars in NGC 1379 and NGC 1387, did not show any evidence of multiple populations.

Reader's Guide

NGC 1374 is notable as a low-luminosity elliptical galaxy situated near the center of the Fornax Cluster, one of the nearest rich galaxy clusters. Its position near the cluster's central galaxy, NGC 1399, places it in a region of high galactic density, where interactions and environmental effects are significant. The galaxy's classification as E1 with a possible transition to S0 suggests it may be an intermediate form between elliptical and lenticular galaxies, offering insight into galaxy evolution within dense cluster environments. Its globular cluster system, with a population of 360 ± 17 and a predominance of red globulars, aligns with patterns seen in other Fornax Cluster members like NGC 1379 and NGC 1387, and the lack of multiple populations in these clusters indicates a relatively simple formation history. The uncertain pairing with NGC 1375 highlights the challenges in determining precise distances and associations in galaxy groups. Overall, NGC 1374 contributes to understanding how early-type galaxies age, cease star formation from the inside out, and interact within a cluster setting.

Did You Know?

• It has a diameter of 50,000 light-years.
• It may form a pair with NGC 1375, but this is uncertain.