NGC 1559

NGC 1559
NGC 1559 imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope
Observation data (J2000.0 epoch)
ConstellationReticulum
Right ascension4h 17m 35.8s[1]
Declination−62° 47′ 1″[1]
Redshift1304 ± 4 km/s[1]
Apparent magnitude (V)11[1]
Characteristics
TypeSB(s)cd[1]
Apparent size (V)3.5′ × 2.0′[1]
Other designations
PGC 14814[1]

NGC 1559 is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Reticulum. It was discovered on 6 November 1826 by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop.[2]

NGC 1559 is a Seyfert galaxy, i.e. it has a quasar-like nuclei with very high surface brightnesses whose spectra reveal strong, high-ionisation emission lines, but unlike quasars, the host galaxy is clearly detectable. Although it was originally thought to be a member of the Dorado Group,[3] subsequent observations have shown that it is in fact not a member of any galaxy group or cluster and does not have any nearby companions.[4][5] NGC 1559 has massive spiral arms and strong star formation.[4] It contains a small bar which is oriented nearly east-west and spans 40″.[4] Its bar and disc are the source of very strong radio emissions.[4]

Four supernovae have been observed in NGC 1559. Australian amateur astronomer Robert Evans[6] discovered the first three: SN 1984J (type II, mag. 13.5),[7] SN 1986L (type II, mag. 13.5),[8] and SN 2005df (Type Ia, mag 12.3).[9] SN 2009ib (type IIP, mag. 14.7)[10] was discovered on 6 August 2009.

Supernova SN 2005df is visible as the bright star just above the galaxy (imaged by ESO's 8.2m VLT)
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database", Results for NGC 4650A, retrieved 2007-04-03
  2. ^ Seligman, Courtney. "NGC 1559". Celestial Atlas. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  3. ^ Huchra, J. P.; Geller, M. J. (June 15, 1982), "Groups of galaxies. I - Nearby groups", Astrophysical Journal, 257 (Part 1): 423–437, Bibcode:1982ApJ...257..423H, doi:10.1086/160000
  4. ^ a b c d Beck, R.; Shoutenkov, V.; Ehle, M.; Harnett, J. I.; et al. (August 2002), "Magnetic fields in barred galaxies. I. The atlas", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 391 (1): 83–102, arXiv:astro-ph/0207201, Bibcode:2002A&A...391...83B, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20020642, S2CID 14749261
  5. ^ Maia, M. A. G.; da Costa, L. N.; Latham, David W. (April 1989), "A catalog of southern groups of galaxies", Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 69: 809–829, Bibcode:1989ApJS...69..809M, doi:10.1086/191328, ISSN 0067-0049
  6. ^ "Supernova Discoveries by Rev. Robert Evans". revivals.arkangles.com/. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  7. ^ Transient Name Server entry for SN 1984J. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  8. ^ Transient Name Server entry for SN 1986L. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  9. ^ Transient Name Server entry for SN 2005df. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  10. ^ Transient Name Server entry for SN 2009ib. Retrieved 25 March 2023.