NGC 2217

NGC 2217 is a nearly face-on lenticular galaxy of about 100 thousand light-years across that lies roughly 65 million light years from Earth in the constellation of Canis Major. It is part of the NGC 2217 Group of galaxies. It is classified as a barred spiral galaxy.

NGC 2217
Credit:ESO
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ConstellationCanis Major
Right ascension06h 21m 40.35s[1]
Declination−27° 13′ 56.90″[1]
Redshift0.005400[2]
Heliocentric radial velocity1619 km/s[2]
Distance73 Mly 22.4 Mpc[2]
Apparent magnitude (V)11.71[2]
Characteristics
Type(R)SB0+(rs)[2]
Apparent size (V)4.44 ′ × 4.84 ′[1]
Other designations
MCG -05-15-010, PGC 18883[2]

A notable feature is the swirling shape of this galaxy. In its very concentrated central region we can see a distinctive, very luminous bar of stars within an oval ring. Further out, a set of tightly wound spiral arms almost form a circular ring around the galaxy.

Central bars play an important role in the development of a galaxy. They can, for example, funnel gas towards the center of the galaxy, helping to feed a central black hole, or to form new stars.[1]

One supernova, SN 2017fzw (type Ia, mag. 17.1), was discovered in NGC 2217 on 9 August, 2017.[3]

References
  1. http://www.eso.org/public/images/potw1204a/ "ESO"
  2. "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for NGC 2217. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  3. Transient Name Server entry for SN 2017fzw. Retrieved 24 March 2023.

https://stardate.org/radio/program/2022-02-06

  • Media related to NGC 2217 at Wikimedia Commons


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