NGC 178 | |
---|---|
Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Constellation | Cetus |
Right ascension | 00h 39m 08.392s[1] |
Declination | −14° 10′ 22.25″[1] |
Redshift | 0.004863[2] |
Heliocentric radial velocity | 1454.4 km/s[2] |
Distance | 67 Mly (20.6 Mpc)[3] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 12.6[4] |
Apparent magnitude (B) | 13.6[2] |
Characteristics | |
Type | SB(s)m[5] |
Size | 25 to 30 kly[4] |
Apparent size (V) | 1.85′ × 0.85′[4] |
Other designations | |
IC 39, MCG -02-02-078, PGC 2349[2] |
NGC 178 is a Magellanic spiral[5] galaxy in the constellation of Cetus. The compiler of the New General Catalogue, John Louis Emil Dreyer noted that NGC 178 was "faint, small, much extended 0°, brighter middle". It was discovered on November 3, 1885, by Ormond Stone.[4]
Due to its high rate of star formation NGC 178 is a starburst galaxy.[4] It is forming new stars at a rate of 0.55 M☉ per year.[3] The peculiar morphology of this galaxy may be a sign of it being a galaxy merger.[6]