Messier 109
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| Observation data: J2000 epoch | |
|---|---|
| Constellation: | Ursa Major |
| Right ascension: | 11h 57m 36.0s[1] |
| Declination: | +53° 22′ 28″[1] |
| Redshift: | 1048 ± 1 km/s[1] |
| Distance: | 41 Mly[citation needed] |
| Type: | SB(rs)bc[1] |
| Apparent dimensions (V): | 7′.6 × 4′.7[1] |
| Apparent magnitude (V): | 10.6[1] |
| Notable features: | |
| Other designations | |
| NGC 3992, UGC 6937[1] | |
| See also: Galaxy, List of galaxies | |
Messier 109 (also known as NGC 3992) is a barred spiral galaxy approximately 41 million light-years away[citation needed] in the constellation Ursa Major. M109 can be seen southeast of the star Phekda (γ UMa).
Contents |
[edit] History
Messier 109 was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781. In 1783 Charles Messier catalogued NGC 3992 as his 109th object.
Between the 1920's through the 1950's, it was considered that Messier objects over 103 are not official, but in later years the additions became pretty widely accepted. David Levy mentions the modern 110 object catalog while Sir Patrick Moore gave the original to 104 but has M105-M109 listed as an addendum. By the late 1970s all 110 objects are commonly used among astronomers as they still are today.
[edit] General information
In March of 1956, supernova 1956A was observed in M109. SN 1956A was a type Ia supernova in the southeast part of the galaxy, glowing at magnitude 12.8 to 12.3 at its maximum. SN 1956A was the only supernova observed in M109 since its discovery.
M109 has three satellite galaxies (UGC 6923, UGC 6940 and UGC 6969) and possibly might have more and detailed Hydrogen line observations have been obtained from M109 and its satellites. M109's H I distribution is regular with a low level radial extension outside the stellar disc, while at exactly the region of the bar, there is a central H I hole in the gas distribution. Possibly the gas has been transported inwards by the bar because of the emptiness of the hole no large accretion events can have happened in the recent past.[2]
[edit] Environment
M109 is the brightest galaxy in the M109 Group, a large group of galaxies located in the constellation Ursa Major that may contain over 50 galaxies.[3][4][5][6]
[edit] See also
- NGC 1300 - a similar barred spiral galaxy
[edit] External links
- Messier 109. SEDS. Retrieved on August 11, 2007.
- Dark and luminous matter in the NGC 3992 group of galaxies. Astrophysics. Retrieved on April 19, 2007.
- Dark and luminous matter in the NGC 3992 group of galaxies. ESO. Retrieved on April 8, 2007.
- WIKISKY.ORG: SDSS image, M109
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Results for NGC 3992. Retrieved on October 10, 2006.
- ^ Bottema, Roelof (2002). Dark and luminous matter in the NGC 3992 group of galaxies. Astrophysics. Retrieved on April 19, 2007.
- ^ R. B. Tully (1988). Nearby Galaxies Catalog. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-35299-1.
- ^ P. Fouque, E. Gourgoulhon, P. Chamaraux, G. Paturel (1992). "Groups of galaxies within 80 Mpc. II - The catalogue of groups and group members". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement 93: 211-233.
- ^ A. Garcia (1993). "General study of group membership. II - Determination of nearby groups". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement 100: 47-90.
- ^ G. Giuricin, C. Marinoni, L. Ceriani, A. Pisani (2000). "Nearby Optical Galaxies: Selection of the Sample and Identification of Groups". Astrophysical Journal 543: 178-194.
