Right ascension 02 27 37.4 Redshift 1430 ± 4 km/s Apparent size (V) 4′.7 × 4′.1 Constellation Cetus | Declination −01° 09′ 22″ Type SB(rs)0+ Magnitude 10.2 Apparent magnitude (V) 10.2 | |
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Distance 67.7 ± 19.7 Mly (20.75 ± 6.05 Mpc) Similar NGC 908, NGC 584, NGC 1022, NGC 157, NGC 1055 | ||
Bpearthwatch comet s1 ison and the ngc 936 galaxy
NGC 936 is a barred lenticular galaxy in the constellation Cetus. It is at a distance of about 60 million light-years away from Earth. Its nucleus and prominent bar have high surface brightness. Because of the shape of the prominent bar, the nucleus and the ring of stars at the end of the barrel, the galaxy has been compared with the shape of a TIE fighter, from the Star Wars universe, and thus NGC 936 has been named Darth Vader’s Galaxy or Darth Vader’s Starfighter. By measuring the radial velocity of the disc, Kormendy found in 1986 that the disc is stable, that's the reason why it is so smooth.
It was discovered by William Herschel on 6 January 1785, who classified it as a planetary nebula, because of its round shape. One supernova has been observed in NGC 936, SN 2003gs, type Ia-p, that was characterised by its fast evolution. SN 2013gs peaked at magnitude 14.
NGC 936 forms a pair with the spiral galaxy NGC 941, at 12.6' separation, however, the two galaxies do not interact. In the same group (the NGC 936 group) also belong, among others the galaxies NGC 955, UGC 01945 and IC 225. The group is associated with Messier 77 group.