NGC 128

NGC 128 is a lenticular galaxy in the constellation Pisces. It is approximately 190 million light-years from the Sun and has a diameter of about 165,000 light-years.^[2]

NGC 128
NGC 128 with smaller galaxies NGC 130 (left) and NGC 127 (right)
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
Constellation	Pisces
Right ascension	00h 29m 15.047s[1]
Declination	+02° 51′ 50.60″[1]
Redshift	0.01466[1]
Heliocentric radial velocity	4363 km/s[1]
Distance	190 Mly (58 Mpc)[2]
Apparent magnitude (V)	11.63[3]
Apparent magnitude (B)	12.65[3]
Characteristics
Type	S0[1]
Other designations
UGC 292, MCG +00-02-051, PGC 1791[1]

Discovery

NGC 128 was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on 25 December 1790 using a reflecting telescope with an aperture of 18.7 inches. At the time of discovery, its coordinates were recorded as 00h 22m 05s, +87° 54.6′ -20.0″.^[4] It was later observed by John Herschel on 12 October 1827.^[2]

Visual appearance

The galaxy is described as "pretty bright", "very small" with a "brighter middle". It is approximately 165,000 light years in diameter and is elongated.^[5][2] The galaxy is famous for its (peanut shell)-shaped bulge, and in 2016 it was discovered that there are two such nested structures, possibly associated with two stellar bars.^[6]

Galaxy group information

NGC 128 is the largest member, and the namesake of, the NGC 128 group which also includes the galaxies NGC 127 and NGC 130. NGC 128 has a strong tidal bridge with NGC 127 and there is evidence of interaction between all three galaxies in the group. NGC 128 has a noticeable peanut shape that is likely to be caused by gravitational effects of the other two galaxies.^[7]

Gallery

• 
  NGC 128 group with labels
• 
  NGC 128 group without labels

See also

• List of NGC objects (1–1000)
• NGC 125
• NGC 126
• NGC 127
• NGC 130