Despite being rich in neutral atomichydrogen (HI), NGC 3883 is very red and has a low amount ofH-alpha emission.[10][3] This suggests thestar formation in the galaxy ended a long time ago while the inner regions continued to form stars that enriched theinterstellar medium (ISM) and eventually used up the remaining gas. Possibly, the outer regions of NGC 3883 went through only a few generations of star formation because theHI density has been low throughout the galaxy's life.[3] However, J. Donas et al. suggests that theUV emission of NGC 3883 which comes mainly from the disk of the galaxy is coming from young intermediate mass stars and reveals star formation in the outer regions of NGC 3883.[10]
Because of a low amount of star formation[11][12] ongoing in NGC 3883, it has been classified as ananemic galaxy.[12]
^abcdvan der Hulst, J. M.; Skillman, E. D.; Kennicutt, R. C.; Bothun, G. D. (May 1987). "The neutral hydrogen content of red spiral galaxies".Astronomy and Astrophysics.177: 63.Bibcode:1987A&A...177...63V.ISSN0004-6361.
^abJ., Donas; V., Buat; B., Milliard; M., Laget (August 1990). "Ultraviolet observations of galaxies in nearby clusters. I - Star formation rate in spiral galaxies of Abell 1367".Astronomy and Astrophysics.235: 60.Bibcode:1990A&A...235...60D.ISSN0004-6361.
^abAmram, P.; Marcelin, M.; Balkowski, C.; Cayatte, V.; Sullivan, W. T. III; Le Coarer, E. (January 1994). "Halpha velocity fields and rotation curves of galaxies in clusters".Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series.103: 5.Bibcode:1994A&AS..103....5A.ISSN0365-0138.
