| NGC 578 | |
|---|---|
 NGC 578 byKitt Peak National Observatory[1] | |
| Observation data (J2000epoch) | |
| Constellation | Cetus |
| Right ascension | 01h 30m 28.5s[2] |
| Declination | −22° 40′ 02″[2] |
| Redshift | 0.005434 ± 0.000005[2] |
| Heliocentric radial velocity | 1,629 ± 1 km/s[2] |
| Distance | 59.3 ± 15.7Mly (18.2 ± 4.8Mpc)[2] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 10.8[3] |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | SAB(rs)c[2] |
| Apparent size (V) | 4.9′ × 3.1′[2] |
| Other designations | |
| UGCA 18, ESO 476- G 015, AM 0128-225,MCG -04-04-020, IRAS 01280-2255,PGC 5619 | |
NGC 578 is aspiral galaxy in the constellationCetus. The galaxy lies about 60 millionlight years away from Earth, which means, given its apparent dimensions, that NGC 578 is approximately 110,000 light years across.[2] It was discovered byJohn Herschel on November 11, 1835.[4]
NGC 578 is a spiral galaxy with three arms. The bulge is small and slightly elliptical and has a prominent bar running at an east–west axis. From each end of the bar emerges a spiral arm with a very steep angle. After half a revolution the southeastern arm bifurcates while the northwest becomes diffuse.[5]The third arm features moreHII regions than the other arms and is more prominent at its outer portion.[6] An unusual aspect of the galaxy is that the spiral arms appear to end at thecorotation circle.[7] A bright galaxy is visible superimposed to the east of the galaxy.[5]
NGC 578 is the foremost galaxy in the NGC 578 group, which also includes galaxies 2MASX J01301192-2245448 and MBG 01272-2057.[8]
