NGC 2217 is a intergalactic celestial object of about 100 thousand light-years across that lies roughly 65 million light years from Earth in the constellation ofCanis Major. It is part of the NGC 2217 Group of galaxies. It is classified as abarred spiral galaxy.
A notable feature is the swirling shape of this galaxy. In its very concentrated central region we can see a distinctive, very luminous bar of stars within an oval ring. Further out, a set of tightly wound spiral arms almost form a circular ring around thegalaxy. The galaxy is not very known as of now.
Central bars play an important role in the development of a galaxy. They can, for example, funnel gas towards the center of the galaxy, helping to feed a centralblack hole, or to form new stars.[1]
Onesupernova, SN 2017fzw (type Ia, mag. 17.1), was discovered in NGC 2217 on 9 August, 2017.[3]
Media related toNGC 2217 at Wikimedia Commons.jpg)
