NGC 3227 | |
---|---|
Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Constellation | Leo |
Right ascension | 10h 23m 30.6s[1] |
Declination | +19° 51′ 54″[1] |
Redshift | 1157 ± 3 km/s[1] |
Distance | 77 ± 9 Mly (24 ± 3 Mpc)[2] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 11.1[1] |
Characteristics | |
Type | SAB(s) pec[1] |
Apparent size (V) | 5.4′ × 3.6′[1] |
Other designations | |
UGC 5620,[1] PGC 30445,[1] Arp 94[1] |
NGC 3227 is an intermediate spiral galaxy that is interacting with the dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC 3226. The two galaxies are one of several examples of a spiral with a dwarf elliptical companion that are listed in the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies.[3] Both galaxies may be found in the constellation Leo. It is a member of the NGC 3227 Group of galaxies, which is a member of the Leo II Groups, a series of galaxies and galaxy clusters strung out from the right edge of the Virgo Supercluster.[4]
Sir William Herschel already recognised them as a 'double nebula'[citation needed] and they were jointly listed as Holm 187 in the Catalogue of Double and Multiple Galaxies and as Arp 94 in the Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies. Amateur telescopes can discern them but require magnification of about 100 times. They are situated 50′ east of the well-known double star system Gamma Leonis (i.e. Algieba).
One supernova has been observed in NGC 3227: SN 1983U (type Ia, mag. 12).[5][6]