NGC 88

NGC 88
NGC 88 (center) surrounded by the other galaxies in Robert's Quartet
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ConstellationPhoenix
Right ascension00h 21m 21.8s
Declination−48° 38′ 25″
Redshift0.011408
Distance160 Mly
Apparent magnitude (V)14.1
Characteristics
TypeSB(s)a pec
Apparent size (V)0.8′ × 0.5′
Other designations
PGC 1370, ESO 194-G010

NGC 88 is an interacting peculiar spiral galaxy located approximately 160 million light-years (49 Mpc) away in the constellation Phoenix. It is a physical member of Robert's Quartet (HCG 92), a compact group of four interacting galaxies. The galaxy has an apparent visual magnitude of 14.1.

Physical Characteristics and Environment

NGC 88 features a faint, diffuse outer envelope of gas and dust that has been tidally extended due to ongoing gravitational interactions with its neighboring group members, particularly NGC 87 and NGC 89. High-resolution imaging obtained by the Very Large Telescope demonstrates that these interactions have induced mild star-forming regions within its distorted spiral arms. The galaxy has an apparent angular size of 0′.8 × 0′.5 arcminutes, which at its light-travel distance of 160 million light-years translates to a physical diameter of approximately 35,000 light-years.

Discovery

NGC 88 was discovered by English astronomer John Herschel on September 30, 1834, using an 18.7-inch reflecting telescope at the Cape of Good Hope.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 NGC 88 Deprecated link archived 2007-06-14 at archive.today
  2. 1 2 3 4 "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database Results for NGC 0088". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "An Interacting Galaxy Quad". European Southern Observatory. November 4, 2003. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Robert's Quartet". Constellation Guide. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  5. ↑ Seligman, Courtney. "New General Catalogue Objects: NGC 50 - 99". Celestial Atlas. Retrieved August 11, 2026.