NGC 3311 | |
---|---|
Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Constellation | Hydra |
Right ascension | 10h 36m 42.8s[1] |
Declination | −27° 31′ 42″[1] |
Redshift | 0.012759[1] |
Heliocentric radial velocity | 3825 km/s[1] |
Distance | 190 Mly (57 Mpc)[1] |
Group or cluster | Hydra Cluster |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 12.65[1] |
Characteristics | |
Type | cD2, E+2[1] |
Number of stars | more than 1 trillion[2] |
Size | ~230,000 ly (70 kpc) (estimated)[1] |
Apparent size (V) | 3.5 x 2.9[1] |
Notable features | Massive globular cluster population |
Other designations | |
ESO 501-38, AM 1034-271, MCG -4-25-36, PGC 31478[1] |
NGC 3311 is a super-giant[2] elliptical galaxy[3] (a type-cD galaxy)[4][3] located about 190 million light-years away[5] in the constellation Hydra.[6] The galaxy was discovered by astronomer John Herschel on March 30, 1835.[7][8] NGC 3311 is the brightest[9][10] member of the Hydra Cluster[11] and forms a pair with NGC 3309 which along with NGC 3311, dominate the central region of the Hydra Cluster.[12]
NGC 3311 is surrounded by a rich and extensive globular cluster system[13] rivaling that of Messier 87 in the Virgo Cluster.[4]
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was invoked but never defined (see the help page).:4
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).