| NGC 3628 | |
|---|---|
 NGC 3628 and its long tidal tail | |
| Observation data (J2000epoch) | |
| Constellation | Leo |
| Right ascension | 11h 20m 17.0s[1] |
| Declination | +13° 35′ 23″[1] |
| Redshift | 843 ± 1 km/s[1] |
| Distance | 35 Mly (11 Mpc)[2] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.5[2] |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | SAb pec[1] |
| Size | ~150,000ly (45.52kpc) (estimated)[1] |
| Apparent size (V) | 14′ × 3.6′[2] |
| Notable features | Galaxy in theLeo Triplet |
| Other designations | |
| UGC 6350,PGC 34697, VV 308b[1] | |
NGC 3628, also known asthe Hamburger Galaxy[3] orSarah's Galaxy,[4][5][6][7][8] is anunbarred spiral galaxy about 35 millionlight-years away in theconstellationLeo. It was discovered byWilliam Herschel in 1784. It has an approximately 300,000 light-years longtidal tail. Along withM65 andM66, NGC 3628 forms theLeo Triplet, a smallgroup of galaxies. Its most conspicuous feature is the broad and obscuring band of dust located along the outer edge of its spiral arms, effectively transecting the galaxy to the view from Earth.
Due to the presence of an x-shaped bulge,[9] visible in multiple wavelengths, it has been argued that NGC 3628 is instead abarred spiral galaxy with the bar seen end-on.[10] Simulations have shown that bars often form in disk galaxies during interactions and mergers, and NGC 3628 is known to be interacting with its two large neighbors.
When viewed through a telescope, its often seen as a dim orb, as it has a relatively low surface brightness for a supposedly famous galaxy. Though, when viewed with a larger one, it begins to show off more of its intricate detail such as its prominent dust lane, obscuring its core.
The name "Hamburger Galaxy" is a reference to its shape resembling ahamburger, while the name "Sarah's Galaxy" is thought to refer to poetSarah Williams (1837–1868),[11] most famous for the poem "The Old Astronomer:"
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too truly to be fearful of the night.[12]
Media related toNGC 3628 at Wikimedia Commons
