NGC 3370
A spiral galaxy in Leo with a well-studied Type Ia supernova.
NGC 3370 (also cataloged as UGC 5887 and the Silverado Galaxy) is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Leo, at a distance of roughly 25.2 ± 1.8 megaparsecs. Its diameter, measured by the D25 isophotal standard, is about 23.69 kiloparsecs, making it close in size to the Milky Way (which has a diameter of 26.8 kiloparsecs); the two galaxies are also comparable in mass. The galaxy features complex spiral arms that wrap around a nucleus that is not sharply defined. NGC 3370 belongs to the NGC 3370 Group, which is part of the larger Leo II Groups—a chain of galaxies and clusters extending from the eastern edge of the Virgo Supercluster.
William Herschel discovered NGC 3370 on March 21, 1784, and assigned it the designation II 81. His son John later labeled it 750. In Herschel’s catalog, NGC 3370 follows I 80 (NGC 3348) and precedes II 82 (NGC 3455). The galaxy has a surface brightness of 13 and a position angle of 140°.
On November 14, 1994, Schuyler D. Van Dyk and the Leuschner Observatory Supernova Search identified a supernova in NGC 3370 at coordinates 10h 44m 21.52s +17° 32′ 20.7″, designated SN 1994ae. This was a Type Ia supernova, and it ranks among the nearest and most thoroughly observed such events since the introduction of modern digital detectors. Its maximum brightness occurred around November 30 to December 1, reaching a visual magnitude of 13. An image taken in 1994 shows the supernova, but by 2003, when the Hubble Space Telescope imaged the galaxy, it was no longer visible.
Quick Facts
- Epoch
- J2000
- Constellation Name
- Leo
- Ra
- 10 · 47 · 04.0832
- Dec
- +17 · 16 · 25.603
- H Radial V
- 1279 ± 4 km/s
- Dist Ly
- 78 Mly0.6774 / (Light-travel)
- Group Cluster
- NGC 3370 Group
- Appmag V
- 12.3
- Notes
- Dusty
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
NGC 3370 was discovered by William Herschel on 21 March 1784, who gave it the designation II 81; his son John later designated it 750. The galaxy is a member of the NGC 3370 Group, which itself belongs to the Leo II Groups, a chain of galaxies and clusters extending from the edge of the Virgo Supercluster. Its spiral arms are intricate and surround a poorly defined nucleus. The galaxy has a surface brightness of 13 and a position angle of 140°. On November 14, 1994, Schuyler D. Van Dyk and the Leuschner Observatory Supernova Search discovered a supernova in NGC 3370, designated SN 1994ae. It was a Type Ia supernova, one of the nearest and best observed since the advent of modern digital detectors. Its maximum light occurred between November 30 and December 1, peaking at visual magnitude 13.
Reader's Guide
NGC 3370 is significant for its close resemblance to the Milky Way in both diameter and mass, with a D25 isophotal size of 23.69 kpc compared to the Milky Way's 26.8 kpc. Its intricate spiral structure and poorly defined nucleus make it a subject of interest for studies of spiral galaxy morphology. The galaxy gained particular prominence with the discovery of SN 1994ae, a Type Ia supernova that was one of the nearest and best observed since the advent of modern digital detectors. This supernova, discovered on November 14, 1994, by Schuyler D. Van Dyk and the Leuschner Observatory Supernova Search, peaked at visual magnitude 13 between November 30 and December 1. The supernova was not visible in 2003 when the Hubble Space Telescope imaged the galaxy, but its earlier observation provided valuable data for understanding Type Ia supernovae. NGC 3370 is also part of the NGC 3370 Group, a member of the Leo II Groups, which are strung out from the right edge of the Virgo Supercluster, placing it in a broader cosmic context.
Did You Know?
- NGC 3370 is also known as the Silverado Galaxy.
- The galaxy hosted SN 1994ae, a Type Ia supernova that peaked at visual magnitude 13.
- NGC 3370 is a member of the NGC 3370 Group, part of the Leo II Groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NGC 3370?
NGC 3370 is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Leo, cataloged under the aliases UGC 5887 and the Silverado Galaxy. It lies approximately 25.2 megaparsecs away and displays intricate spiral arms winding around a diffuse, poorly defined nucleus.
How does NGC 3370 compare in size to the Milky Way?
Its D25 isophotal diameter of roughly 23.69 kiloparsecs places it very close to the Milky Way's 26.8 kiloparsec disk, and the two are comparable in total mass as well. In other words, NGC 3370 is essentially a near-twin of our own galaxy in scale.
Where in the sky can I locate NGC 3370?
It sits in the constellation Leo, with a position angle of 140 degrees and a surface brightness of 13 magnitudes per square arcsecond. Being in Leo, it is most easily observed from northern latitudes during the spring season.
Why do astronomers pay particular attention to NGC 3370?
The galaxy is the host of a well-studied Type Ia supernova, which makes it a useful calibration target for measuring cosmic distances. Its complex spiral-arm structure and fuzzy core also offer a rich case study in how spiral galaxies organize their mass and angular momentum.
What galaxy group does NGC 3370 anchor?
It gives its name to the NGC 3370 Group, a small collection of galaxies that is itself nested within the broader Leo II Groups. This chain of groups and clusters stretches across the nearby universe in the Leo region.
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