NGC 4625

NGC 4625
An ultraviolet image of NGC 4625 taken with GALEX.
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation	Canes Venatici[1]
Right ascension	12h 41m 52.7s[2]
Declination	+41° 16′ 26″[2]
Redshift	609 ± 1 km/s[2]
Type	SAB(rs)m pec[2]
Apparent dimensions (V)	1′.3 × 1′.2[2]
Apparent magnitude (V)	13.2g[2]
Notable features	Asymmetric; Single spiral arm[3]
Other designations
IC 3675,[2] UGC 7861,[2] PGC 42607[2]
See also: Galaxy, List of galaxies

NGC 4625 is a distorted dwarf galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici. The galaxy is formally classified as a Sm galaxy, which means that its structure vaguely resembles the structure of spiral galaxies. The galaxy is sometimes referred to as a Magellanic spiral because of its resemblance to the Magellanic clouds.

Structure

Unlike most spiral galaxies, NGC 4625 has a single spiral arm, which gives the galaxy an asymmetric appearance.^[3] It has been hypothesized that this galaxy's asymmetric structure may be the result of a gravitational interaction with NGC 4618.^[3] Such asymmetric structure is commonly seen among many interacting galaxies. However, observations of neutral hydrogen gas in NGC 4618 and NGC 4625 show that NGC 4625 does not appear to have been affected by the gravitational interaction.^[4] This indicates that the single-arm structure seen in NGC 4625 may be created through intrinsic processes.

Environment

As mentioned above, NGC 4625 is interacting with NGC 4618.^[3]

See also

• NGC 5713 - a similar asymmetric spiral galaxy

References

1. ^ R. W. Sinnott, editor (1988). The Complete New General Catalogue and Index Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters by J. L. E. Dreyer. Sky Publishing Corporation and Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-933-34651-4. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for NGC 4625. http://nedwww.ipac.caltech.edu/. Retrieved 2006-12-07. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} A. Sandage, J. Bedke (1994). Carnegie Atlas of Galaxies. Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Institution of Washington. ISBN 0-87279-667-1. 
4. ^ S. J. Bush, E. M. Wilcots (2004). "Neutral Hydrogen in the Interacting Magellanic Spirals NGC 4618 and NGC 4625". Astrophysical Journal 128 (6): 2789–2796. arXiv:astro-ph/0409209. Bibcode 2004AJ....128.2789B. doi:10.1086/425876.