Found in the Sculptor constellation, astronomers study this 400 million-light-year distant galaxy to understand the secrets of radio wave emissions in galaxies. Lenticular galaxies have a central bulge and disk much like spiral galaxies, but they do not have the characteristic arms. NGC 612 is also an exceptionally unusual example of a non-elliptical radio galaxy, a type of galaxy that shows substantial radio emissions– in this case, an association with radio source PKS 0131-36. Another theory focuses on the galaxys intense and dominant bulge, which is similar to those seen in elliptical radio galaxies. By imaging this galaxy, astronomers hope to uncover more about what triggers galaxies to discharge radio waves.
By NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center
October 5, 2023
Radio Emissions and NGC 612s Uniqueness.
NGC 612 is likewise an exceptionally rare example of a non-elliptical radio galaxy, a type of galaxy that shows considerable radio emissions– in this case, an association with radio source PKS 0131-36. By imaging this galaxy, astronomers hope to discover more about what triggers galaxies to produce radio waves.
Historic Background and Measurements.
British astronomer John Herschel discovered NGC 612 in 1837. It has to do with 400 million light-years from Earth and has a mass of around 1.1 trillion times that of our Sun.
This Hubble Space Telescope image exposes the distinct lenticular galaxy NGC 612, understood for its substantial radio emissions. Located in the Sculptor constellation, astronomers study this 400 million-light-year far-off galaxy to understand the mysteries of radio wave emissions in galaxies. Credit: NASAs Hubble Space Telescope, ESA, A. Barth (University of California– Irvine), and B. Boizelle (Brigham Young University); Processing: Gladys Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America).
NASAs Hubble Space Telescope has recorded a spectacular picture of the lenticular galaxy NGC 612, identified by its orange and blue shades.
Hubbles infrared and visible abilities recorded this edge-on view of lenticular galaxy NGC 612. Lenticular galaxies have a main bulge and disk much like spiral galaxies, but they do not have the characteristic arms. This galaxy appears in the Sculptor constellation and is easily noticeable from Earths southern hemisphere.
Qualities of NGC 612.
NGC 612 is an active galaxy, which implies that its center appears more than 100 times brighter than the combined light of its stars. It is also a Seyfert galaxy, the most typical type of active galaxy. Seyfert galaxies emit large quantities of infrared radiation regardless of looking normal in visible light. NGC 612 is a Type II Seyfert, which indicates matter near the center of the galaxy moves rather calmly around the nucleus. The stars in this galaxy are uncommonly young, with ages around 40 to 100 million years.
