NGC 1163
| NGC 1163 | |
|---|---|
 NGC 1163 as observed by Hubble Space Telescope | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Perseus |
| Redshift | 0.0151 |
| Distance | 205 million light-years |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 13.5 |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | SBc |
| Apparent size (V) | 1.2' × 0.9' |
| Other designations | |
| UGC 2483, PGC 11549 | |
NGC 1163 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Perseus. It is situated approximately 205 million light-years away from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 13.5. The galaxy was discovered by the German-British astronomer William Herschel on October 14, 1784.
Discovery
[edit]NGC 1163 was first observed by William Herschel on October 14, 1784, using his 18.7-inch reflecting telescope. The galaxy was later cataloged in the New General Catalogue (NGC) by John Louis Emil Dreyer. Its precise celestial coordinates place it in the Perseus constellation, making it a target for amateur and professional astronomers alike.[1]
Physical Characteristics
[edit]NGC 1163 is classified as a barred spiral galaxy (SBc type) under the Hubble Sequence. The prominent bar structure at its center channels gas and dust toward the galaxy’s nucleus, fueling star formation. Its spiral arms are moderately tightly wound and exhibit regions of active star formation.
The galaxy spans an apparent size of about 1.2 by 0.9 arcminutes and shines with an apparent magnitude of 13.5, making it observable with mid-sized telescopes under dark-sky conditions.[2]
Location and Observation
[edit]NGC 1163 is located in the constellation Perseus, which is best observed during winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The galaxy lies roughly 205 million light-years from Earth, as determined by its redshift (z = 0.0151). Amateur astronomers can observe NGC 1163 with mid-to-large aperture telescopes, and long-exposure astrophotography can reveal its bar structure and faint spiral arms.[3]
Environment and Galaxy Group
[edit]NGC 1163 is part of a loose galaxy group in the Perseus constellation. It interacts gravitationally with neighboring galaxies, which may have influenced its structure and bar formation. These gravitational interactions are thought to play a key role in redistributing gas and triggering star formation in the galaxy's arms.[4]
Scientific Importance
[edit]NGC 1163 is of interest to astronomers studying barred spiral galaxies and their star formation dynamics. The bar structure acts as a mechanism for funneling material toward the galactic core, potentially fueling an active galactic nucleus (AGN). However, current observations suggest a relatively low AGN activity in NGC 1163.
Research into NGC 1163 also contributes to the broader understanding of galaxy evolution and the role of bars in galaxy morphology.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) - NGC 1163". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ Clark, D. (2019). "Barred Spiral Galaxies and Their Star Formation Rates". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 485 (3): 2345–2359. doi:10.1093/mnras/stz084.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Johnson, R.K. (2017). Observing Spiral Galaxies. Cambridge University Press. pp. 89–92.
- ^ "Galaxy Interactions and Structures: NGC 1163". Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
- ^ Smith, J.L. (2020). "Star Formation Patterns in Barred Spiral Galaxies". Astrophysical Journal. 895 (2): 120–133. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/ab9234.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)