NGC 4631 Group

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NGC 4631 Group
Observation data (Epoch J2000)
Constellation(s) Canes Venatici
& Coma Berenices
Right ascension 12h 09m[1][2]
Declination +30° 02′[1][2]
Number of galaxies 5-27[3][4][1][2]
Brightest member NGC 4631[4][2]
Other designations
LGG 291[1], NOGG H611[2],
NOGG P1 631[2], NOGG P2 642[2]
See also: Galaxy groups and clusters, List of galaxy clusters
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The NGC 4631 Group is a poorly-defined group of galaxies in the Coma Berenices and Canes Venatici constellations. The brightest galaxy in the group is NGC 4631, a spiral galaxy that is seen edge-on from Earth[4].

[edit] Members

Most studies place NGC 4631 and the interacting galaxies NGC 4656/NGC 4657 in the same group. The dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC 4627, which is a companion of NGC 4631[5], is also by default a member of the group, although it is not listed in most catalogs. Aside from these four galaxies, however, the determination of group membership is quite variable. The group lies in a relatively crowded part of the sky near the Virgo Cluster, so exact determination of the group membership is extremely difficult. Some studies have estimated that the NGC 4631 Group contains as few as 5 galaxies[3], while others place the estimate as high as 27[2]. Additionally, it is unclear as to whether the galaxies near NGC 4631 and NGC 4656/NGC4657 form one large group or two smaller groups[1].

[edit] See also

Virgo Cluster - a large cluster of galaxies that is near the NGC 4631 group

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e A. M. Garcia (1993). "General study of group membership. II - Determination of nearby groups". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement 100: 47–90. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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. doi:10.1086/317070. 
  3. ^ a b R. B. Tully (1988). Nearby Galaxies Catalog. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-35299-1. 
  4. ^ a b c 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. 
  5. ^ H. Arp (1966). "Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies". Astrophysical Journal Supplement 14: 1–20. doi:10.1086/190147.