NGC 1531
Encyclopedia
NGC 1531 is a dwarf galaxy
in the constellation
Eridanus
that is interacting with the larger spiral galaxy NGC 1532. Although technically classified as a peculiar
lenticular galaxy
, the galaxy's structure is better described as amorphous.
Dwarf galaxy
A dwarf galaxy is a small galaxy composed of up to several billion stars, a small number compared to our own Milky Way's 200-400 billion stars...
in the constellation
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
Eridanus
Eridanus (constellation)
Eridanus is a constellation. It is represented as a river; its name is the Ancient Greek name for the Po River. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It is the sixth largest of the modern...
that is interacting with the larger spiral galaxy NGC 1532. Although technically classified as a peculiar
Peculiar galaxy
A peculiar galaxy is a galaxy which is unusual in its size, shape, or composition. Peculiar galaxies come about as a result of interactions between galaxies, and they may contain atypical amounts of dust or gas, may have higher or lower surface brightness than a typical galaxy, or may have...
lenticular galaxy
Lenticular galaxy
A lenticular galaxy is a type of galaxy which is intermediate between an elliptical galaxy and a spiral galaxy in galaxy morphological classification schemes. Lenticular galaxies are disk galaxies which have used up or lost most of their interstellar matter and therefore have very little ongoing...
, the galaxy's structure is better described as amorphous.
See also
- NGC 4627NGC 4627NGC 4627 is a dwarf elliptical galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici....
- a similar interacting dwarf galaxy - M51B - a similar interacting dwarf galaxy