NGC 3106 is alenticular galaxy in the constellationLeo Minor. The galaxy lies about 290 millionlight years away from Earth, which means, given its apparent dimensions, that NGC 3106 is approximately 100,000 light years across.[1] It was discovered byWilliam Herschel on March 13, 1785.[3][4]
The galaxy is characterised as a lenticular galaxy, having a disk and abulge. Almost 95% of the stars in the bulge are old, created more than 6 billion years ago, while the stars in the disk are younger, as 77% are older than 6 billion years.[5] Its nucleus isactive and based on its emission is characterised as aLINER.[6] There is also some star formation taking place at the central region of the galaxy disk, but not in the bulge.[5] The star formation at the centre of the galaxy could be the result oftidalinteraction.[7]
The outer regions of the galaxy feature faint structures that resemblespiral arms. Although otherwise faint, they are the source of more than half of theH-alpha emission of the galaxy.[6]HII regions have been detected in these spiral features, indicating they are locations of activestar formation. The star formation rate is estimated to be 0.1–0.3M☉ per year.[6] The innermost star formation ring has a radius of 20 arcseconds while the galaxy has a series of rings.[8]
NGC 3106 is afield galaxy, meaning it doesn't belong in a galaxy group. Seven dwarf companion galaxies have been found in its vicinity.[6] Other nearby galaxies includeNGC 3116 and UGC 5481.[16]
^abcdGomes, J. M.; Papaderos, P.; Vílchez, J. M.; Kehrig, C.; Iglesias-Páramo, J.; Breda, I.; Lehnert, M. D.; Sánchez, S. F.; Ziegler, B.; dos Reis, S. N.; Bland-Hawthorn, J.; Galbany, L.; Bomans, D. J.; Rosales-Ortega, F. F.; Walcher, C. J.; García-Benito, R.; Márquez, I.; del Olmo, A.; Mollá, M.; Marino, R. A.; Catalán-Torrecilla, C.; González Delgado, R. M.; López-Sánchez, á. R. (January 2016). "Spiral-like star-forming patterns in CALIFA early-type galaxies".Astronomy & Astrophysics.585: A92.arXiv:1511.00744.Bibcode:2016A&A...585A..92G.doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201525974.
