NGC 4608 is a barred lenticular galaxy located in the

constellation A constellation is an area on the celestial sphere in which a group of visible stars forms Asterism (astronomy), a perceived pattern or outline, typically representing an animal, mythological subject, or inanimate object. The origins of the e ...

of Virgo. The galaxy was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on March 15, 1784. At about 56 million

light-year A light-year, alternatively spelled light year, is a large unit of length used to express astronomical distances and is equivalent to about 9.46 trillion kilometers (), or 5.88 trillion miles ().One trillion here is taken to be 1012 ...

s (17.3 megaparsecs) away, it is a member of the Virgo Cluster.

Physical characteristics

NGC 4608 has a very well-defined bar. Surrounding the bar, there is an inner ring that is defined by a sharp inner edge. Outside of the inner ring, there is a low surface brightness disk that contains weak spiral features. The center of NGC 4608 is a classical bulge, which is a bulge similar to an elliptical galaxy. The disk in NGC 4608 is practically considered non-existent. One explanation is that the bar in the galaxy was able to form without a disk. Another explanation says that a weak bar forms initially. Over time, the bar grows by causing the external disk to lose angular momentum therefore funneling material toward the bulge. Then the bar would be surrounded by a halo with very little or no disk left.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:NGC 4608 Barred lenticular galaxies Virgo (constellation) 4608 42545 7842 Astronomical objects discovered in 1784 Virgo Cluster

Physical characteristics

See also

References

External links