Spiral galaxy in the constellation Perseus
NGC 1163 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Perseus. It is situated approximately 205 million light-years away from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 13.5. The galaxy was discovered by the German-British astronomer William Herschel on October 14, 1784.
Discovery
NGC 1163 was first observed by William Herschel on October 14, 1784, using his 18.7-inch reflecting telescope. The galaxy was later cataloged in the New General Catalogue (NGC) by John Louis Emil Dreyer. Its precise celestial coordinates place it in the Perseus constellation, making it a target for amateur and professional astronomers alike.[1]
Physical characteristics
NGC 1163 is classified as a barred spiral galaxy (SBc type) under the Hubble Sequence. The prominent bar structure at its center channels gas and dust toward the galaxy’s nucleus, fueling star formation. Its spiral arms are moderately tightly wound and exhibit regions of active star formation.
The galaxy spans an apparent size of about 1.2 by 0.9 arcminutes and shines with an apparent magnitude of 13.5, making it observable with mid-sized telescopes under dark-sky conditions.[2]
Location and observation
NGC 1163 is located in the constellation Perseus, which is best observed during winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The galaxy lies roughly 205 million light-years from Earth, as determined by its redshift (z = 0.0151). Amateur astronomers can observe NGC 1163 with mid-to-large aperture telescopes, and long-exposure astrophotography can reveal its bar structure and faint spiral arms.[3]
Environment and galaxy group
NGC 1163 is part of a loose galaxy group in the Perseus constellation. It interacts gravitationally with neighboring galaxies, which may have influenced its structure and bar formation. These gravitational interactions are thought to play a key role in redistributing gas and triggering star formation in the galaxy's arms.[4]
Scientific importance
NGC 1163 is of interest to astronomers studying barred spiral galaxies and their star formation dynamics. The bar structure acts as a mechanism for funneling material toward the galactic core, potentially fueling an active galactic nucleus (AGN). However, current observations suggest a relatively low AGN activity in NGC 1163.
Research into NGC 1163 also contributes to the broader understanding of galaxy evolution and the role of bars in galaxy morphology.[5]
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