NGC 3044
Edge-on barred spiral galaxy in Sextans with disturbed disk.
NGC 3044 is a barred spiral galaxy in the equatorial constellation Sextans. German-born English astronomer William Herschel first spotted it on December 13, 1784. In 1888, Danish astronomer J. L. E. Dreyer noted it as "very faint, very large, very much extended 122°." The galaxy lies about 20.6 million parsecs away. In the B band of the UBV photometric system, its major axis is aligned at a position angle of 113°. NGC 3044 is relatively isolated, with no close neighbors; R. B. Tully classified it in 1988 as part of the widely scattered Leo Cloud.
Its morphological classification is SBc, meaning it is a barred spiral with loosely wound arms. The galaxy is seen edge-on, with its plane inclined relative to the sky. The disk appears lopsided and disturbed, hinting at a past merger or interaction. Diffuse ionized gas extends above the center of the galactic plane.
The combined mass of the galaxy’s stars is about [value not given], with a star formation rate of [value not given]. Its atomic gas mass is [value not given], and its dust mass is [value not given]. The total dynamical mass of the galaxy is [value not given].
One supernova has been observed in NGC 3044: SN1983E, a Type II event reaching magnitude 14, discovered by Natalʹja Metlova on March 13, 1983, offset east and south of the galaxy’s center.
Quick Facts
- Epoch
- J2000
- Constellation Name
- Sextans
- Ra
- 09 · 53 · 40.884
- Dec
- +01 · 34 · 46.74
- Dist Ly
- 20.6 Mpc
- Group Cluster
- Leo Cloud
- Appmag V
- 12.5
- Appmag B
- 12.4
- Notes
- Edge-on galaxy
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
NGC 3044 was discovered by William Herschel on December 13, 1784. In 1888, Danish astronomer J. L. E. Dreyer described it as 'very faint, very large, very much extended 122°'. The galaxy is classified as SBc, indicating a barred spiral with somewhat loosely-wound spiral arms. It is viewed edge-on, with the major axis aligned along a position angle of 113°. The disk appears lopsided and disturbed, suggesting a recent merger or interaction. Diffuse ionized gas extends above the center of the galactic plane. The galaxy is relatively isolated with no nearby companions, and R. B. Tully in 1988 assigned it as a member of the widely displaced Leo Cloud.
Reader's Guide
NGC 3044 is significant as an example of an edge-on barred spiral galaxy that shows clear signs of disturbance, likely from a past merger or interaction. Its lopsided disk and extended diffuse ionized gas provide clues to the dynamical processes affecting isolated galaxies. The galaxy's membership in the Leo Cloud, as assigned by R. B. Tully, places it within a larger but widely dispersed structure. The observation of one supernova, SN1983E (Type II, magnitude 14), discovered by Natalʹja Metlova on March 13, 1983, adds to its astrophysical interest. The galaxy's distance of 20.6 Mpc and its morphological classification make it a useful object for studying the structure and evolution of barred spirals in a relatively isolated environment.
Did You Know?
- It is classified as SBc, a barred spiral with loosely-wound arms.
- One supernova, SN1983E (Type II, mag. 14), was observed in 1983.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of object is NGC 3044?
NGC 3044 is a barred spiral galaxy of type SBc located in the constellation Sextans. It appears edge-on from Earth and shows a somewhat disturbed disk structure.
Who discovered NGC 3044 and when?
William Herschel, a German-born astronomer working in England, first recorded this galaxy on December 13, 1784. Danish astronomer J. L. E. Dreyer later catalogued it in 1888, describing it as very faint and very large.
How far is NGC 3044 from Earth?
The galaxy lies at a distance of approximately 20.6 million parsecs, placing it well beyond the Local Group but still within the nearby universe.
What is NGC 3044's morphological classification?
It is classified as an SBc barred spiral, indicating a central bar with loosely wound arms. In the B-band of the UBV photometric system, its major axis is oriented at a position angle of 113 degrees.
Does NGC 3044 belong to a galaxy group or cluster?
The galaxy is notably isolated with no close neighboring galaxies. In 1988, R. B. Tully loosely included it as a member of the widely scattered Leo Cloud, though that grouping is very diffuse.
More in NGC Objects, Part 5 1-24
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