#ngc 3115

[quiltofstars]

The Spindle Galaxy, C53 // Brian Valente

The Spindle Galaxy is probably most notable for the supermassive black hole that lurks at its center. One of the ways astronomers are able to estimate the mass of a black hole is by observing the temperature of hot gas being dragged towards it. Using this method, NASA astronomers estimate that the black hole in this galaxy is about two billion times the mass of our Sun. That means that the Spindle Galaxy hosts the nearest billion-solar-mass black hole to Earth!

[quiltofstars]

The Spindle Galaxy, C53 // AdrianoMSilva

Often confused with another Spindle Galaxy (M102), this Spindle Galaxy (NGC 3115) is a lenticular galaxy. These are intermediates between the more familiar spiral and elliptical galaxies that lack spiral arms but do feature a central bulge and disk.

Appearing edge-on to us, this galaxy is located about 32 million light years away in the constellation of Sextans, the Sextant. Discovered by William Herschel (1738-1822) in 1787, it is best observed in the spring by northern hemisphere observers.

[retrofutureground]

Mount Wilson Observatory, Film positive (5" x 5 1/2") Nebula N.G.C. 3115 exposure 13 hours 60-inch telescope, 1923.

[spacettf]

Spindle Galaxy NGC 3115 Narrowband IR - March, 2009 by Joseph Brimacombe on Flickr.

Via Flickr: Taken from Coral Towers Observatory using a 41-cm RCOS and Apogee U6 camera on a Software Bisque PME I Robotic Mount. Narrowband infrared image R= IR > 850 nm G=IR 800-900 nm B+IR 800-900nm