NGC 2770 is a spiral galaxy in the northern constellationofLynx,[5] near the northern constellation border with Cancer. It was discovered by German-born astronomer William Herschel on December 7, 1785. J. L. E. Dreyer described it as, "faint, large, much extended 150°, mottled but not resolved, 2 stars to north".[8] NGC 2770 was the target for the first binocular image produced by the Large Binocular Telescope.[9]
| NGC 2770 | |
|---|---|
Image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2020
| |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Lynx |
| Right ascension | 09h09m 33.622s[1] |
| Declination | +33° 07′ 24.29″[1] |
| Redshift | 1943±1 km/s[2] |
| Distance | 77 Mly (24 Mpc)[3] 88 Mly (27 Mpc)[4] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 12.0[5] |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | SBc[3] |
| Apparent size (V) | 1.967′ × 0.511′[1] (NIR) |
| Notable features | Four supernovae[6] |
| Other designations | |
| LEDA 25806, MCG+06-20-038, NGC 2770, UGC 4806[7] | |
The morphological classification of SBc[3] indicates a barred spiral with moderately-wound arms. The physical properties of this galaxy are similar to those of the Milky Way. The combined mass of stars in the galaxy is estimated at 2.1×1010 M☉, and it has a star formation rate of ~1.1 M☉ y−1. There are no apparent perturbations of the galaxy due to suspected interaction with the companion galaxy, NGC 2770B.[10]
As of 2017, up to four supernovae events have been discovered in this galaxy.[6] Three were of Type Ib: SN 1999eh, SN 2007uy, and SN 2008D.[10] The last of these was the first supernova detected by the X-rays released very early on in its formation, rather than by the optical light emitted during the later stages, which allowed the first moments of the outburst to be observed. It is possible that NGC 2770's interactions with a suspected companion galaxy may have created the massive stars causing this activity.[11] SN 2015bh, discovered in NGC 2770 in February 2015,[12] was either a Type II supernova or the hyper-eruption of a luminous blue variable.[6]
Media related to NGC 2770 at Wikimedia Commons