Galaxy
NGC 3115
Lenticular galaxy · C53 · NGC 3115
Lenticular galaxy in Sextans
Photo: Unknown (2MASS-Team) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
NGC 3115 is a field lenticular (S0) galaxy in the constellation Sextans. Alternatively, it is identified as the Spindle Galaxy or Caldwell 53. The galaxy was discovered by German-British astronomer William Herschel on February 22, 1787. At about 32 million light-years away from Earth, it is several times bigger than the Milky Way. It is a lenticular (S0) galaxy because it contains a disk and a central bulge of stars, but without a detectable spiral pattern. NGC 3115 is seen almost exactly edge-on, but was nevertheless mis-classified as elliptical. There is some speculation that NGC 3115, in its youth, was a quasar.
Description from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~22 million light-years
Apparent mag.
+9.2
Apparent size
7.1′ × 3.0′
Best seen with
Telescope
Catalogue
C53 · NGC 3115
Did you know
- Listed as Caldwell 53 in the Caldwell catalogue, also known as NGC 3115.
- Found in the constellation Sextans.
- Needs a telescope to see clearly.
