NGC 5195

'NGC 5195' (also known as ''M51B'') is a dwarf galaxy that is interacting with the Whirlpool Galaxy (also known as M51A or NGC 5194). Both galaxies are located approximately 25 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. Together, the two galaxies are one of the most famous interacting galaxy pairs in astronomy.

Contents

History

Interaction with the Whirlpool Galaxy

Morphology

Supernova

See also

External links

References

History

M51b was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781.

Interaction with the Whirlpool Galaxy

As stated above, NGC 5195 and the Whirlpool Galaxies are one of the most noted interacting galaxy pairs in astronomy. The two galaxies are listed in the '''Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies''' as one of several prominent examples of a spiral galaxy with a companion galaxy,^[1] and the system was also the subject of very early theoretical investigations into galaxy interactions.^[2] The two galaxies are connected by a dust-rich tidal bridge, and the dust in this tidal bridge can be seen silhouetted against the center of NGC 5195. This demonstrates that NGC 5195 appears to lie behind the Whirlpool Galaxy. The encounter has significantly enhanced the spiral structure of M51.

Morphology

As a consequence of the gravitational interaction with the Whirlpool Galaxy, NGC 5195 is highly distorted. Classification of its morphology is difficult, as it is sometimes identified as a lenticular galaxy or as amorphous (i.e. irregular). It has been described as falling outside the standard morphological classification system.

Supernova

Supernova 1945A is the only supernova that has been detected within NGC 5195. The supernova was found 10″ northwest of the nucleus on April 6, 1945 by Milton L. Humason using the 100 inch telescope at Mount Wilson Observatory. The supernova, classified as a Type I supernova, reached a peak apparent magnitude of 14.0.^[3]

See also

★ NGC 1097

★ Dwingeloo 1

External links

★ 'SEDS': NGC 5195

★ 'WIKISKY.ORG': SDSS image, NGC 5195

★ NGC 5195 at ESA/Hubble

References

1. Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies, H. Arp, , , Astrophysical Journal Supplement, 1966
2. Galactic Bridges and Tails, A. Toomre, J. Toomre, , , Astrophysical Journal, 1972
3. Supernova in NGC 5195, M. L. Humason, , , Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 1945