Themorphological classification of SA(rs)bc[5] indicates this is a spiral galaxy the lacks abar; the 'rs' means it has a weakly-formed ring structure, and the 'bc' indicates the spiral arms are moderately to loosely wound.[9]
The galaxy is inclined by around 20° to theline of sight from the Earth.[10] It is forming new stars at the estimated rate of4.10M☉ yr−1, which is fairly typical for a galaxy of this morphology. The star formation rate is much higher in the central region, which may be the result of recent merger with a dwarf galaxy within the last 100 million years.[5]
This galaxy has no detected activity in the nuclear region. There is a rotating nuclear disk of high brightness at the core that is consistent with the presence of a compact mass of1+0.6 −0.7×107M☉. Most likely this is asupermassive black hole (SMBH).[10][11]
On July 29, 1994, thetype IIp supernova designated SN 1994W was discovered in this galaxy by Giancarlo Cortini and Mirko Villi. The event reached peak visual magnitude on August 13, and declined thereafter.[14] It was located about 19 arc seconds to the northwest of the nucleus.[15] This supernova was unusual for the exceptionally low quantity of nickel-56 released—indeed, it was the lowest inferred amount measured for any type II supernova as of that date.[14] Based upon a possible detection of X-ray emission from the remnant, this may be a high-luminosity type IIn supernova.[15]
^abcSkrutskie, Michael F.; Cutri, Roc M.; Stiening, Rae; Weinberg, Martin D.; Schneider, Stephen E.; Carpenter, John M.; Beichman, Charles A.; Capps, Richard W.; Chester, Thomas; Elias, Jonathan H.; Huchra, John P.; Liebert, James W.; Lonsdale, Carol J.; Monet, David G.; Price, Stephan; Seitzer, Patrick; Jarrett, Thomas H.; Kirkpatrick, J. Davy; Gizis, John E.; Howard, Elizabeth V.; Evans, Tracey E.; Fowler, John W.; Fullmer, Linda; Hurt, Robert L.; Light, Robert M.; Kopan, Eugene L.; Marsh, Kenneth A.; McCallon, Howard L.; Tam, Robert; Van Dyk, Schuyler D.; Wheelock, Sherry L. (1 February 2006)."The Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS)".The Astronomical Journal.131 (2):1163–1183.Bibcode:2006AJ....131.1163S.doi:10.1086/498708.ISSN0004-6256.S2CID18913331.
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