| NGC 128 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Observation data (J2000epoch) | |
| Constellation | Pisces |
| Right ascension | 00h 29m 15.047s[1] |
| Declination | +02° 51′ 50.60″[1] |
| Redshift | 0.01466[1] |
| Heliocentric radial velocity | 4363 km/s[1] |
| Distance | 190 Mly (58 Mpc)[2] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 11.63[3] |
| Apparent magnitude (B) | 12.65[3] |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | S0[1] |
| Other designations | |
| UGC 292,MCG +00-02-051,PGC 1791[1] | |
NGC 128 is alenticular galaxy in the constellationPisces. It is approximately 190 millionlight-years from the Sun and has a diameter of about 165,000 light-years.[2]
NGC 128 was discovered by astronomerWilliam Herschel on 25 December 1790 using areflecting telescope with anaperture of 18.7 inches. At the time of discovery, its coordinates were recorded as 00h 22m 05s, +87° 54.6′ -20.0″.[4] It was later observed byJohn Herschelon 12 October 1827.[2]
The galaxy is described as "pretty bright", "very small" with a "brighter middle". It is approximately 165,000 light years in diameter and is elongated.[5][2] The galaxy is famous for its (peanut shell)-shapedbulge, and in 2016 it was discovered that there are two such nested structures, possibly associated with two stellar bars.[6]
NGC 128 is the largest member, and the namesake of, the NGC 128 group which also includes the galaxiesNGC 127 andNGC 130. NGC 128 has a strong tidal bridge with NGC 127 and there is evidence of interaction between all three galaxies in the group. NGC 128 has a noticeable peanut shape that is likely to be caused by gravitational effects of the other two galaxies.[7]
Media related toNGC 128 at Wikimedia Commons
