NGC 3998 | |
---|---|
Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Constellation | Ursa Major |
Right ascension | 11h 57m 56.1333s[1] |
Declination | +55° 27′ 12.922″[1] |
Redshift | 0.00350[1] |
Heliocentric radial velocity | 1048 ± 5 km/s[1] |
Distance | 45 Mly (13.7 Mpc)[2] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 12.10[3] |
Apparent magnitude (B) | 11.64[4] |
Absolute magnitude (V) | 2.7′ × 2.3′[5] |
Characteristics | |
Type | SA00(r):[1] |
Other designations | |
UGC 6946, MCG +09-20-046, PGC 37642[1] |
NGC 3998 is a lenticular galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered on April 14, 1789, by the astronomer William Herschel.[5] At a distance of 45 million light-years (13.7 megaparsecs),[2] it is located relatively nearby, making it a well-studied object.[6]
In Gérard de Vaucouleurs' atlas of galaxy morphological types, NGC 3998 has a classification of SA00(r):, meaning it is unbarred and has an internal ring.[5] It is classified as a LINER-type galaxy.[6] As an early-type galaxy, NGC 3998's stars are relatively old and reddish in color, but its nuclear region may still have signs of star formation with stars less than 10 million years old.[6] The galaxy's shape is very round, and also oblate.[2]
Walsh
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Frank
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).