Right ascension 12 34 27.129 Redshift 0.006031 ± 0.000003 Type SAB(rs)bc | Declination +02° 11′ 16.37″ Helio radial velocity 1808 ± 1 km/s Magnitude 11.1 Apparent magnitude (V) 11.1 | |
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Distance 48.7 ± 0.9 Mly (14.9 ± 0.3 Mpc) Similar NGC 4535, NGC 4559, NGC 4639, NGC 4725, NGC 4517 | ||
NGC 4536 is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo located about 10° south of the midpoint of the Virgo cluster. However, it is not considered a member of this cluster of galaxies. The morphological classification in the De Vaucouleurs system is SAB(rs)bc, which indicates it is a weakly barred spiral galaxy with a hint of an inner ring structure plus moderate to loosely wound arms. It does not have a classical bulge around the nucleus.
NGC 4536 has the optical characteristics of an HII galaxy, which means it is undergoing a strong burst of star formation. This is occurring prominently in the ring that surrounds the bar and nucleus. Based upon the level of X-ray emission from the core, it may have a small supermassive black hole with 104–106 times the mass of the Sun.
On March 8, 1981, a type Ia supernova was discovered 51 arcseconds to the northeast of the galactic center. It reached a peak visual magnitude of 12 on March 8 before steadily fading from view over the next two months. No prior supernova events have been observed in this galaxy.