NGC 4731 is a barred spiral galaxy located near the
Virgo supercluster. To its celestial south lies NGC 4731A, a small irregular galaxy. Both galaxies feature high concentrations of neutral HI gas.
It is theorized that its elongated arm structure could be related to gravitational interactions with a nearby galaxy,
NGC 4967. It is a member of the
NGC 4697 Group of galaxies, which is a member of the
Virgo II Groups, a series of galaxies and
galaxy clusters strung out from the southern edge of the
Virgo Supercluster.
See also
New General Catalogue
The ''New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars'' (abbreviated NGC) is an astronomical catalogue of deep-sky objects compiled by John Louis Emil Dreyer in 1888. The NGC contains 7,840 objects, including galaxies, star clusters and ...
References
{{NGC50
4731
Virgo (constellation)
Barred spiral galaxies
Virgo Supercluster