NGC 2770
A barred spiral galaxy with an anomalous supernova rate.
NGC 2770 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the northern constellation Lynx, close to the border with Cancer. Its morphological classification is SBc, indicating a barred structure with moderately wound spiral arms. In terms of physical properties, it resembles the Milky Way, with an estimated stellar mass and a star formation rate of a certain value per year. The galaxy was discovered by William Herschel on December 7, 1785, and was later described by J. L. E. Dreyer as faint, large, and much extended, with a mottled appearance and two stars to the north. NGC 2770 was also the subject of the first binocular image produced by the Large Binocular Telescope.
Over a span of twenty years, four supernovae have been observed in this galaxy, an unusually high rate for a typical spiral. This activity may be linked to a recent enhancement in star formation, possibly triggered by interaction with a companion galaxy, NGC 2770B, though no obvious perturbations are visible. The supernovae include SN 1999eh (Type Ib, magnitude 17.5, discovered by Mark Armstrong on October 12, 1999), SN 2007uy (Type Ib, magnitude 17.2, discovered by Yoji Hirose on December 31, 2007), and SN 2008D (Type Ib, magnitude 17.5, discovered by NASA's Swift X-ray telescope on January 9, 2008). SN 2008D was notable as the first supernova detected by its early X-ray emission rather than later optical light, allowing astronomers to observe the initial moments of the outburst. The fourth supernova, SN 2015bh, was discovered on February 7, 2015, by the Catalina Real-time Transient Survey and Stan Howerton; it was either a Type II supernova or the hyper-eruption of a luminous blue variable.
Quick Facts
- Epoch
- J2000
- Constellation Name
- Lynx
- Ra
- 09 · 09 · 33.622
- Dec
- +33 · 07 · 24.29
- Dist Ly
- 23.67 Mpc / 27 Mpc
- Appmag V
- 12.0
- Notes
- Four supernovae
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
NGC 2770 was discovered by German-born astronomer William Herschel on December 7, 1785. J. L. E. Dreyer described it as 'faint, large, much extended 150°, mottled but not resolved, 2 stars to north'. The galaxy was the target for the first binocular image produced by the Large Binocular Telescope. Its morphological classification is SBc, indicating a barred spiral with moderately-wound arms. The physical properties of NGC 2770 are similar to those of the Milky Way, though its combined stellar mass and star formation rate are not specified in the available record. No apparent perturbations of the galaxy due to suspected interaction with the companion galaxy NGC 2770B have been observed.
Reader's Guide
NGC 2770 gained particular significance for its high supernova rate: four supernovae were observed within a twenty-year span, an anomalous frequency for an ordinary galaxy. This rate may be explained by a recently enhanced star formation rate possibly due to interaction with a companion galaxy. The supernovae include SN 1999eh (Type Ib, mag. 17.5, discovered by Mark Armstrong on 12 October 1999), SN 2007uy (Type Ib, mag. 17.2, discovered by Yoji Hirose on 31 December 2007), SN 2008D (Type Ib, mag. 17.5, discovered by NASA's Swift X-ray telescope on 9 January 2008 while observing SN 2007uy), and SN 2015bh (discovered by the Catalina Real-time Transient Survey and Stan Howerton on 7 February 2015, either a Type II supernova or the hyper-eruption of a luminous blue variable). SN 2008D was the first supernova detected by X-rays released very early in its formation, rather than by optical light from later stages, allowing observation of the first moments of the outburst. The galaxy's interactions with a suspected companion may have created the massive stars causing this activity.
Did You Know?
- Four supernovae have been observed in NGC 2770 within a twenty-year span.
- SN 2008D was the first supernova detected by its X-ray emission at the very start of the outburst.
- The galaxy's physical properties are similar to those of the Milky Way.
More in NGC Objects, Part 4 1-24
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