NGC 3314

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
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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[clarification needed] was discovered in April 1999.

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]

NGC 3314 as seen by the legacy surveys, shows a large extended tail, mostly coming from the foreground galaxy, this is seen as signs of ram pressure[3]
  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.
  3. ^ Hess, Kelley M.; Kotulla, Ralf; Chen, Hao; Carignan, Claude; Gallagher, John S.; Jarrett, Thomas H.; Kraan-Korteweg, Renée C. (2022-12-01). "NGC 3314a/b and NGC 3312: Ram pressure stripping in Hydra I cluster substructure". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 668: A184. arXiv:2209.05605. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202243412. ISSN 0004-6361.