NGC 3628
A dusty spiral galaxy in the Leo Triplet with a long tidal tail.
NGC 3628, sometimes called the Hamburger Galaxy or Sarah's Galaxy, is a spiral galaxy located roughly 35 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. William Herschel first spotted it in 1784. It belongs to the Leo Triplet, a small galaxy group that also includes M65 and M66. The galaxy’s most striking feature is a wide, dark dust lane that runs along the outer edge of its spiral arms, cutting across the galaxy as seen from Earth. This galaxy also has a tidal tail stretching about 300,000 light-years. Some astronomers argue that NGC 3628 is actually a barred spiral galaxy, with the bar seen end-on, based on an X-shaped bulge visible at multiple wavelengths. Computer simulations suggest that bars often form in disk galaxies during interactions and mergers, and NGC 3628 is known to be interacting with its two large neighbors. Through a telescope, it often appears as a dim orb due to its relatively low surface brightness for a famous galaxy, but a larger telescope reveals more detail, especially the prominent dust lane that obscures its core. The name "Hamburger Galaxy" comes from its hamburger-like shape, while "Sarah's Galaxy" is thought to honor poet Sarah Williams (1837–1868), best known for the poem "The Old Astronomer."
Quick Facts
- Epoch
- J2000
- Ra
- 11 · 20 · 17.0
- Dec
- +13 · 35 · 23
- Dist Ly
- 35 Mly
- Z
- 843 ± 1 km/s
- Appmag V
- 9.5
- Constellation Name
- Leo
- Notes
- Galaxy in the Leo Triplet
- Names
- UGC 6350, PGC 34697, VV 308b
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
NGC 3628 was discovered by William Herschel in 1784. It has an approximately 300,000 light-years long tidal tail. Due to the presence of an x-shaped bulge, visible in multiple wavelengths, it has been argued that NGC 3628 is instead a barred spiral galaxy with the bar seen end-on. Simulations have shown that bars often form in disk galaxies during interactions and mergers, and NGC 3628 is known to be interacting with its two large neighbors, M65 and M66. When viewed through a telescope, it is often seen as a dim orb, as it has a relatively low surface brightness for a supposedly famous galaxy. With a larger telescope, it begins to show more intricate detail such as its prominent dust lane obscuring its core.
Reader's Guide
NGC 3628 is notable as a member of the Leo Triplet, a small group of galaxies that includes M65 and M66. Its most striking feature is a broad dust lane that cuts across the galaxy, giving it a distinctive appearance from Earth. The galaxy also possesses a long tidal tail stretching approximately 300,000 light-years, evidence of past or ongoing gravitational interactions with its neighbors. The presence of an x-shaped bulge has led to debate over its classification: while traditionally described as an unbarred spiral, some argue it is a barred spiral seen end-on. This uncertainty reflects the complex dynamics of interacting galaxies, where bars can form during mergers. Despite its fame, NGC 3628 has a relatively low surface brightness, appearing as a dim orb in smaller telescopes, though larger instruments reveal its intricate dust lane and structure. The names "Hamburger Galaxy" and "Sarah's Galaxy" (the latter thought to refer to poet Sarah Williams) add to its cultural footprint.
Did You Know?
- NGC 3628 is also called the Hamburger Galaxy due to its shape resembling a hamburger.
- It has a tidal tail approximately 300,000 light-years long.
- The galaxy is part of the Leo Triplet along with M65 and M66.
- Its classification as unbarred or barred spiral is disputed due to an x-shaped bulge.
More in NGC Objects, Part 6 1-24
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