NGC 1079

NGC 1079 is an isolated, weakly barred, grand-design spiral galaxy with transitional ring-like structures containing a number of prominent A type stars. It is located in the Fornax constellation and is part of the Eridanus supercluster. It was first observed and catalogued by the astronomer John Herschel in 1835.

Characteristics

NGC 1079 has unique characteristics when compared to other galaxies with a similar luminosity. Its H l content per unit blue luminosity is three times higher. Its mass and rotation velocity is twice as large as normal and it has a low surface brightness in its spiral arms, exterior to a high surface brightness center dominated by old stars. A study suggests these characteristics occur due to a luminous matter deficiency relative to its dynamical mass within the .

Ring structure and star formation

Astronomers first identified NGC 1079's ring structure in 1996 by studying its HST ultraviolet imaging. Later studies have shown virtually all the star-formation activity in this galaxy occurs inside the ring.