NGC 128
Lenticular galaxy with a nested peanut-shell bulge.
NGC 128 is a lenticular galaxy in Pisces, roughly 190 million light-years away and about 165,000 light-years across. William Herschel first spotted it on December 25, 1790, using an 18.7-inch reflecting telescope, recording its position as 00h 22m 05s, +87° 54.6′ -20.0″. John Herschel later observed it on October 12, 1827. Visually, it appears "pretty bright," "very small," with a "brighter middle," and is elongated. Its most famous feature is a peanut-shell-shaped bulge; in 2016, astronomers found two such nested structures, possibly linked to two stellar bars.
This galaxy is the largest and namesake of the NGC 128 group, which also includes NGC 127 and NGC 130. A strong tidal bridge connects NGC 128 to NGC 127, and all three show signs of gravitational interaction. The peanut shape likely results from the other two galaxies' gravitational effects. One supernova has been observed: SN 2014da, a Type Ia reaching magnitude 16.2, discovered by the Lick Observatory Supernova Search on August 7, 2014.
Quick Facts
- Epoch
- J2000
- Ra
- 00 · 29 · 15.047
- Dec
- +02 · 51 · 50.60
- Constellation Name
- Pisces
- H Radial V
- 4363 km/s
- Z
- 0.01466
- Dist Ly
- 190 Mly
- Appmag V
- 11.63
- Appmag B
- 12.65
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
NGC 128 was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on 25 December 1790 using a reflecting telescope with an aperture of 18.7 inches. Its coordinates at discovery were recorded as 00h 22m 05s, +87° 54.6′ -20.0″. It was later observed by John Herschel on 12 October 1827. Visually, the galaxy is described as 'pretty bright', 'very small' with a 'brighter middle', and is elongated.
The galaxy is famous for its peanut-shell-shaped bulge, and in 2016 it was discovered that there are two such nested structures, possibly associated with two stellar bars. NGC 128 is the largest member and namesake of the NGC 128 group, which also includes NGC 127 and NGC 130. It has a strong tidal bridge with NGC 127, and there is evidence of interaction between all three galaxies in the group. The noticeable peanut shape is likely caused by gravitational effects of the other two galaxies.
One supernova has been observed in NGC 128: SN 2014da (Type Ia, magnitude 16.2), discovered by the Lick Observatory Supernova Search (LOSS) on 7 August 2014.
Reader's Guide
NGC 128 holds significance as the largest member and namesake of the NGC 128 group, a small cluster of interacting galaxies that includes NGC 127 and NGC 130. Its strong tidal bridge with NGC 127 and evidence of interaction among all three galaxies highlight the gravitational dynamics at play. The galaxy's most notable feature is its peanut-shell-shaped bulge, which is likely shaped by these interactions. The 2016 discovery of two nested peanut-shell structures, possibly linked to two stellar bars, adds to its uniqueness and makes it a subject of interest for studies of galactic structure and evolution. The observation of a Type Ia supernova, SN 2014da, in 2014 further contributes to its legacy as a site of transient astronomical events. Discovered by William Herschel in 1790 and later observed by John Herschel, NGC 128 has been a known object for over two centuries, yet continues to reveal new complexities through modern observations.
Did You Know?
- NGC 128 was discovered by William Herschel on 25 December 1790.
- It has a peanut-shell-shaped bulge, and in 2016 two such nested structures were discovered.
- One supernova, SN 2014da (Type Ia, mag. 16.2), was observed in NGC 128 on 7 August 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NGC 128 and where can I find it in the sky?
NGC 128 is a lenticular galaxy sitting in the constellation Pisces, roughly 190 million light-years from Earth. It spans about 165,000 light-years across, making it a substantial disk-like system without the prominent spiral arms you'd see in a classic spiral galaxy.
Who discovered NGC 128 and when?
William Herschel first recorded NGC 128 on Christmas Day in 1790, using his 18.7-inch reflecting telescope. His son John Herschel revisited the object on October 12, 1827, adding further observational notes to the record.
What makes NGC 128's bulge so famous?
The galaxy hosts a distinctive peanut-shell-shaped bulge, and a 2016 study revealed that there are actually two of these nested boxy structures inside it. Astronomers believe both features are tied to two separate stellar bars that have warped the central stellar population.
How big is NGC 128 compared to the Milky Way?
At roughly 165,000 light-years in diameter, NGC 128 is comparable in scale to our own galaxy. Its distance of about 190 million light-years means the light you see left the galaxy long before complex life existed on Earth.
What does NGC 128 look like to a visual observer?
Herschel-era descriptions call it a pretty bright, very small, elongated smudge with a noticeably brighter middle region. Its lenticular form gives it a smooth, disk-like glow rather than the detailed spiral structure of a neighboring galaxy.
More in NGC Objects 1-24
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