| NGC 3848 | |
|---|---|
 NGC 3848 from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey | |
| Observation data (J2000epoch) | |
| Constellation | Virgo |
| Right ascension | 11h 42m 11.1s |
| Declination | +10° 16′ 41″ |
| Redshift | 0.020904 |
| Heliocentric radial velocity | 6,270 km/s |
| Distance | 288 million light-years (88.3 Mpc) |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 13.1 |
| Surface brightness | 13.1 mag/arcmin² |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | S0 (lenticular) |
| Apparent size (V) | 1.4′ × 0.8′ |
| Notable features | Member of Hickson Compact Group 58 |
| Other designations | |
| PGC 36319, UGC 6661, MCG +2-30-15, IRAS 11395+1033, HCG 58A | |
NGC 3848 is a faintlenticular galaxy located in theconstellation Virgo, notable for its small size and distant position in the sky. First observed byWilliam Herschel in 1785, this galaxy has anapparent magnitude of approximately 13.1, making it challenging to observe without advanced telescopic equipment. It has angular dimensions of roughly 1.4 by 0.8arcminutes and is situated about 288 millionlight-years (88.3 Mpc) fromEarth.
NGC 3848 is part of theHickson Compact Group 58 (HCG 58), a smallcluster of galaxies that appear to interact gravitationally, causing certain irregularities andstar formation within the group. In catalogs, NGC 3848 is sometimes referenced by additional identifiers, such as PGC 36319 and UGC 6661, among others, and is studied in the context of galactic structure and dynamics in compact groups.
NGC 3848 is classified as an S0lenticular galaxy, representing a transitional type between elliptical andspiral galaxies. Lenticular galaxies like NGC 3848 typically feature a bright central bulge with a surrounding disk, but they lack the prominentspiral arms seen in true spiral galaxies. This galaxy spans approximately 1.4 by 0.8arcminutes in the night sky, with avisual magnitude of 13.1, making it relatively faint and requiring medium-to-largetelescopes for observation.[1]
With aredshift of 0.020904, NGC 3848 is located about 288 millionlight-years (88.3 Mpc) from Earth, moving away at aradial velocity of around 6,270 km/s. Itssurface brightness is measured at 13.1 mag/arcmin², indicating a faint appearance against the night sky. NGC 3848 is part of theHickson Compact Group 58 (HCG 58), a cluster of nearby galaxies that interact gravitationally. This environment likely affects its structure and evolution, as such interactions are known to induce star formation and other changes in galaxies.[2]
