NGC 1385
Barred spiral galaxy in Fornax, part of the NGC 1395 group.
NGC 1385 is a barred spiral galaxy found in the constellation Fornax. German-British astronomer William Herschel first spotted it on 17 November 1784. Its velocity relative to the cosmic microwave background is 1381 ± 9 km/s, giving a Hubble distance of 20.37 ± 1.43 Mpc, though 30 non-redshift measurements suggest a closer distance of 15.999 ± 2.215 Mpc. In 2024, the James Webb Space Telescope captured images of NGC 1385 for the PHANGS project, which investigates star formation phases.
The galaxy’s morphology varies by wavelength: in B-bands it is classified as SBd, while in H-bands it is SBdm. It has a small bulge with a stubby bar running through it. The inner disk features scattered, cottony spiral arms emerging from multiple points, with star-forming knots present. The inner arms consist of two straight segments extending north from the bar. An asymmetric outer disk shows little emission on the northwest side.
NGC 1385 belongs to the NGC 1395 group (LGG 97), which contains at least 31 members, including NGC 1325, NGC 1332, NGC 1347, NGC 1353, NGC 1371, NGC 1377, NGC 1395, NGC 1415, NGC 1426, NGC 1439, and IC 1953. This group is part of the larger Eridanus Cluster.
No supernovae have been observed in NGC 1385, but the transient AT 2020pju was discovered there by the Gaia Photometric Science Alerts on 18 June 2020. Spectral analysis identified it as a luminous blue variable star.
Quick Facts
- Constellation Name
- Fornax
- Epoch
- J2000
- Ra
- 03 · 37 · 28.9794
- Dec
- -24 · 29 · 59.976
- Dist Ly
- 15.999 ± 2.215 Mpc
- Group Cluster
- NGC 1395 Group (LGG 97)
- Z
- 0.004993
- H Radial V
- 1497 ± 4 km/s
- Appmag V
- 11.76
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
NGC 1385 is classified as a type SBd galaxy when observed in B-bands but also classified as type SBdm in H-bands. The bulge of the galaxy is small with a stubby bar running through it. The galaxy's inner disk has scattered cottony spiral arms emerging from several locations. Star-forming knots are present in the galaxy, with its inner arms composed of two straight segments that extend north from the bar region. NGC 1385 has an asymmetric outer disk with little emission on its northwest side.
The galaxy is part of the NGC 1395 group (also known as LGG 97), which includes at least 31 members, such as NGC 1325, NGC 1332, NGC 1347, NGC 1353, NGC 1371, NGC 1377, NGC 1395, NGC 1415, NGC 1426, NGC 1439, IC 1953, and others. This group is also part of the Eridanus Cluster.
Although no supernovae have yet been observed in NGC 1385, the astronomical transient AT 2020pju was discovered by the Gaia Photometric Science Alerts on 18 June 2020. Spectral analysis revealed the star to be a luminous blue variable.
Reader's Guide
NGC 1385 holds significance as a barred spiral galaxy studied for its star formation processes, particularly through the PHANGS project using the James Webb Space Telescope in 2024. Its classification varies between SBd and SBdm depending on the observational band, reflecting structural nuances. The galaxy's morphology—featuring a small bulge, stubby bar, cottony spiral arms, and asymmetric outer disk—provides insight into the dynamics of barred spirals. As a member of the NGC 1395 group, which contains at least 31 galaxies and is itself part of the larger Eridanus Cluster, NGC 1385 contributes to understanding group and cluster environments. The detection of the luminous blue variable AT 2020pju in 2020, despite the absence of observed supernovae, highlights ongoing stellar activity. Its legacy lies in its role as a target for high-resolution imaging that reveals phases of star formation, and in its membership in a well-studied galaxy group.
Did You Know?
- NGC 1385 was discovered by William Herschel on 17 November 1784.
- The astronomical transient AT 2020pju, discovered in 2020, was identified as a luminous blue variable.
More in Galaxy Clusters and Groups, Part 4 1-24
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