Astronomy:NGC 326

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Short description: Radio galaxy in the constellation Pisces
NGC 326
NGC 326 with DECam and with the Very Large Array radio sky survey called VLASS (orange part)
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ConstellationPisces
Right ascension 00h 58m 22.7s[1]
Declination+26° 51′ 55″[1]
Redshift0.047400[1]
Helio radial velocity14,210 km/s[1]
Apparent magnitude (V)14.33[1]
Characteristics
TypeE
Apparent size (V)1.4' × 1.4'[1]
Other designations
UGC 00601, CGCG 480-026, MCG +04-03-025, 4C +26.03, B2 0055+26, PGC 3326, PKS B0055+265, TXS 0055+265.[1]

NGC 326 is a dumbbell galaxy in the constellation Pisces. It was discovered on August 24, 1865 by Heinrich d'Arrest. It was described by Dreyer as "faint, a little extended, 9th or 10th magnitude star to southeast."[2]

Background

X-shaped (or "winged") radio galaxies are a class of extragalactic radio source that exhibit two, low-surface-brightness radio lobes (the "wings") oriented at an angle to the active, or high-surface-brightness, lobes. Both sets of lobes pass symmetrically through the center of the elliptical galaxy that is the source of the lobes, giving the radio galaxy an X-shaped morphology as seen on radio maps.[3]

Study of the galaxy

NGC 326 is a radio galaxy; in fact, it is one of the most prominent X-shaped galaxies ever observed. Several studies have been conducted to try to explain its morphology through either fluid motion or reorientation of the jet axis. The Chandra X-ray Observatory examined the emissions of the galaxy. The study revealed several features, including a high-temperature front that might indicate a shock, high-temperate knots around the rim of the radio emission, and a cavity associated with the eastern wing.[3][4]

References