Dragan
May 20th, 2024, 03:52 PM
NGC 4388
UGC 7520
Galaxy
Constellation: Virgo
RA: 12 25 47.0
DEC: +12 39 42
Class: SA(s)b: sp
Mag: 13.3
Size: 7.6’ x 1.4’
Located in the heart of the Virgo Galaxy Cluster lies the Great Galactic Face, a moniker not made up by myself. The “face” has its eyes comprised of M86 & M84 – galaxies worthy of their own OOTW. But this week, we’re going to focus on the face’s spindly mouth – NGC 4388.
At a distance of approximately 58Mly, NGC 4388, was first discovered by William Herschel on April 17, 1784 using his 18.7 f/13 speculum mirrored scope. This galaxy, with its highly energetic core, falls into the category of Seyfert 2 galaxies, indicating the presence of an active galactic nucleus driven by a supermassive black hole somewhere on the order of 100 million solar masses. Incidentally, NGC4388 is the first Seyfert galaxy to be identified in the Virgo Cluster.
NGC 4388 stands out not only for its striking structure but also for the dynamic processes it undergoes due to its highly eccentric orbit within the Virgo cluster. One of the most fascinating aspects of this galaxy is its high-velocity interaction with the intergalactic medium of the Virgo Cluster. This interaction has led to substantial ram-pressure stripping events of its gas and dust some ~200 million years ago. The stripping process in NGC 4388 provides profound insights into how galaxies evolve – particularly spiral galaxies - when subjected to the environmental stresses in the areas in which the galaxy resides.
NGC4388 has also contributed significantly to our knowledge of star formation. The displaced gas and dust create regions where new stars are born, offering a natural laboratory to study the conditions and processes that lead to star formation. Being that the Virgo Cluster is the closest cluster to Earth in the northern hemisphere, its close distance allows for kiloparsec resolution and incredibly high detail observations. NGC 4388 is not merely an ordinary barred spiral galaxy but a crucial resource in the study of galactic dynamics, interactions, as well as galactic and stellar evolution.
Visually, NGC4388 has been observed in scopes as small as 8” but like many other objects at DSF, it definitely appears best in scopes larger than 18”. In my 25” NGC 4388 appears as a moderately bright east-west glow with a bright core. Higher power will reveal to you mottling throughout the galaxy, particularly further out into its arms.
NGC4388 is placed in the sky nicely this time of year. And with its close proximity to M84 & M86, it isn’t too difficult to find. So next time you’re out, look for the Great Galactic Face in the heart of the Virgo Cluster. Once you’re there, take a peek at NGC4388 and remind yourself how this ordinary looking barred spiral has contributed immensely to our understanding of stellar and galactic evolution.
And remember, “Give it a go and let us know!”
5455
By ESA/Hubble, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53790505
https://www.nao.ac.jp/en/gallery/weekly/2017/20170620-subaru.html
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2018/12/aa31910-17/aa31910-17.html
UGC 7520
Galaxy
Constellation: Virgo
RA: 12 25 47.0
DEC: +12 39 42
Class: SA(s)b: sp
Mag: 13.3
Size: 7.6’ x 1.4’
Located in the heart of the Virgo Galaxy Cluster lies the Great Galactic Face, a moniker not made up by myself. The “face” has its eyes comprised of M86 & M84 – galaxies worthy of their own OOTW. But this week, we’re going to focus on the face’s spindly mouth – NGC 4388.
At a distance of approximately 58Mly, NGC 4388, was first discovered by William Herschel on April 17, 1784 using his 18.7 f/13 speculum mirrored scope. This galaxy, with its highly energetic core, falls into the category of Seyfert 2 galaxies, indicating the presence of an active galactic nucleus driven by a supermassive black hole somewhere on the order of 100 million solar masses. Incidentally, NGC4388 is the first Seyfert galaxy to be identified in the Virgo Cluster.
NGC 4388 stands out not only for its striking structure but also for the dynamic processes it undergoes due to its highly eccentric orbit within the Virgo cluster. One of the most fascinating aspects of this galaxy is its high-velocity interaction with the intergalactic medium of the Virgo Cluster. This interaction has led to substantial ram-pressure stripping events of its gas and dust some ~200 million years ago. The stripping process in NGC 4388 provides profound insights into how galaxies evolve – particularly spiral galaxies - when subjected to the environmental stresses in the areas in which the galaxy resides.
NGC4388 has also contributed significantly to our knowledge of star formation. The displaced gas and dust create regions where new stars are born, offering a natural laboratory to study the conditions and processes that lead to star formation. Being that the Virgo Cluster is the closest cluster to Earth in the northern hemisphere, its close distance allows for kiloparsec resolution and incredibly high detail observations. NGC 4388 is not merely an ordinary barred spiral galaxy but a crucial resource in the study of galactic dynamics, interactions, as well as galactic and stellar evolution.
Visually, NGC4388 has been observed in scopes as small as 8” but like many other objects at DSF, it definitely appears best in scopes larger than 18”. In my 25” NGC 4388 appears as a moderately bright east-west glow with a bright core. Higher power will reveal to you mottling throughout the galaxy, particularly further out into its arms.
NGC4388 is placed in the sky nicely this time of year. And with its close proximity to M84 & M86, it isn’t too difficult to find. So next time you’re out, look for the Great Galactic Face in the heart of the Virgo Cluster. Once you’re there, take a peek at NGC4388 and remind yourself how this ordinary looking barred spiral has contributed immensely to our understanding of stellar and galactic evolution.
And remember, “Give it a go and let us know!”
5455
By ESA/Hubble, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53790505
https://www.nao.ac.jp/en/gallery/weekly/2017/20170620-subaru.html
https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2018/12/aa31910-17/aa31910-17.html