NGC 6902

NGC 6902
NGC 6902 imaged by SPECULOOS[1][2]
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ConstellationSagittarius
Right ascension20h 24m 28.067s[3]
Declination−43° 39′ 12.42″[3]
Redshift0.009300±0.000023[4]
Heliocentric radial velocity2793.9 km/s[5]
Distance124 Mly (38.0 Mpc)[6]
Group or clusterLGG 434
Apparent magnitude (V)10.93±0.18[6]
Apparent magnitude (B)11.64±0.18[6]
Characteristics
TypeSA(r)b[6]
Size~334,800 ly (102.64 kpc) (estimated)
Apparent size (V)3.55′ × 2.69′[7]
Other designations
Gaia DR2 6678974930431764096, IRAS 20210-4348, F20210-4348, 2MASX J20242813-4339127, NGC 6902, IC 4948, LEDA 64632, MCG -07-42-002, PGC 64632[8]

NGC 6902 is an unbarred spiral galaxy located in the southern constellation of Sagittarius at an approximate distance of 124 million light-years (38.0 Mpc).[6] NGC 6902 was discovered on September 2, 1836 by English astronomer John Herschel.[9] In his New General Catalogue, Danish astronomer J. L. E. Dreyer described it as faint, considerably small, round, brighter middle.[10][11] It is a member of the small NGC 6092 group of galaxies; the LGG 434 group.[9]

The morphological classification of NGC 6902 is SA(r)b,[6] indicating an unbarred spiral galaxy (SA) with an inner ring (r) and somewhat tightly wound arms (b). As the two arms extend outward, they transition into a complex system of filamentary arms. The galaxy has an angular size of 3.55′ × 2.69′ in the optical band.[7] The galactic plane is inclined at an angle of 38±5° to the line of sight from the Earth. NGC 6902 has a high abundance of neutral hydrogen; about three times greater than a typical galaxy of this class.[12] The ring structure is undergoing extensive star formation. Although classed as unbarred, there is a small bar of stars inside the ring.[9]

One supernova has been observed in NGC 6902: SN 2024uwq (type Ic-BL, mag. 17.4).[13]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference ESO was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference SciNews_2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Gaia_EDR3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference De_Vaucouleurs_et_al_1991 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Meyer_et_al_2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference Gil_de_Paz_et_al_2007 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Paturel_2003 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference simbad was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference de_Lazaro_2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Harmut was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Seligman was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference Gallagher_1979 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ "SN 2024uwq". Transient Name Server. IAU. Retrieved 9 September 2024.