NGC 3115

Lenticular (S0) Galaxy NGC 3115 (= H I.163 = Caldwell 53 = Bennett 42), type S0_1, in Sextans

Spindle Galaxy

Right Ascension 10 : 05.2 (h:m)

Declination -07 : 43 (deg:m)

Distance 30000.0 (kly)

Visual Brightness 9.2 (mag)
Apparent Dimension 8.3 x 3.2 (arc min)

Right Ascension	10 : 05.2 (h:m)
Declination	-07 : 43 (deg:m)
Distance	30000.0 (kly)
Visual Brightness	9.2 (mag)
Apparent Dimension	8.3 x 3.2 (arc min)

This is a bright lenticular galaxy, i.e. a disk galaxy without significant spiral structure. NGC 3115 is seen almost exactly edge-on. As may be guessed from its appearance, it was occasionally mis-classified as elliptical. It was discovered by William Herschel in the 1780s.

Our image was obtained by Michael Purcell.

In the SAC 110 best NGC object list. No. 49 in the RASC Finest NGC Objects list.

Hartmut Frommert (spider@seds.org)
Christine Kronberg (smil@lrz.uni-muenchen.de)

Last Modification: 29 Mar 1998, 12:50 MET