NGC 1387

Lore & Background

NGC 1387 was discovered by William Herschel on December 25, 1835. It is an early-type galaxy with a Hubble classification of (R')SAB(s)0, featuring a clear, normal-looking non-ansae type bar embedded in an extensive, structureless envelope. Observations in 2006 revealed a large nuclear ring around the galaxy in a bulge-subtracted 2.2 micron image. As an early-type lenticular galaxy, it is much older than spiral galaxies and consists mostly of old, red-colored stars, with very little star formation. The lack of star formation in such galaxies appears to start at the center and slowly propagate outward.

NGC 1387 is rich in globular clusters, with an estimated 390 ± 27 clusters. Unlike similar galaxies NGC 1374 and NGC 1379, which have nearly equal numbers of blue and red globular clusters, NGC 1387's globular cluster system is predominantly composed of red globular clusters, with only a small fraction of blue ones. This may be due to gravitational interactions with the massive central galaxy NGC 1399, which likely stripped off most of the globular clusters from NGC 1387. The globular clusters of NGC 1387, like those in NGC 1379 and NGC 1374, show no evidence of multiple populations.

Reader's Guide

NGC 1387 holds significance as one of the brighter and closer members of the Fornax Cluster, offering a clear example of an early-type lenticular galaxy with a prominent bar and a large nuclear ring. Its proximity to the central galaxy NGC 1399—only 12 arcminutes away—makes it a key object for studying gravitational interactions within a dense cluster environment. The galaxy's globular cluster system, dominated by red clusters with few blue ones, contrasts with neighboring galaxies and suggests a history of tidal stripping by NGC 1399. This provides insight into how massive central galaxies can influence the evolution and composition of smaller cluster members. The lack of multiple populations in its globular clusters further distinguishes it from some other systems. NGC 1387's well-documented properties, including its distance, magnitude, and structural features, make it a valuable reference for understanding the formation and aging processes of early-type galaxies in clusters.

Did You Know?

• NGC 1387 is only 12 arcminutes from the central galaxy NGC 1399, making it one of the closest galaxies to NGC 1399.
• It has an estimated 390 ± 27 globular clusters, mostly red in color.
• A large nuclear ring was discovered around NGC 1387 in a 2006 bulge-subtracted 2.2 micron image.
• The galaxy's globular cluster system shows no evidence of multiple populations.