NGC 3314

NGC 3314 is a pair of overlapping spiral galaxies between 117 and 140 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra. This unique alignment gives astronomers the opportunity to measure the properties of interstellar dust in the face-on foreground galaxy (NGC 3314a). The dust appears dark against the background galaxy (NGC 3314b). Unlike interacting galaxies, the two components of NGC 3314 are physically unrelated. It was discovered in April 1999.

NGC 3314
NGC 3314a (foreground) and NGC 3314b (background) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ConstellationHydra
Right ascension10h 37m 12.5s
Declination−27° 41 05
Redshift+0.0095 (a)
+0.01548 (b)
Distance117 Mly (a)
140 million ly (b)
Apparent magnitude (V)+12.5
Characteristics
TypeSBbc/SAab
Apparent size (V)2′.6 × 1′.7
Notable featuresgalaxy overlapping another
Other designations
  • (NGC 3314): ESO 501-46 , AM 1034-272 , MCG-04-25-041
  • (NGC 3314A): LEDA 31531
  • (NGC 3314B): LEDA 31532

In a March 2000 observation of the galaxies, a prominent green star-like object was seen in one of the arms. Astronomers theorized that it could have been a supernova, but the unique filtering properties of the foreground galaxy made it difficult to decide definitively.[1]

Both galaxies are members of the Hydra Cluster.[2]

References

  1. Keel, Bill; Frattare, Lisa. "NGC 3314 Variable Object". heritage.stsci.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
  2. Richter, O.-G. (February 1989). "The Hydra I cluster of galaxies. V - A catalogue of galaxies in the cluster area". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series. 77: 237–256. Bibcode:1989A&AS...77..237R.


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