NGC 1167
NGC 1167 is a late type, lenticular, nonbarred galaxy in the Perseus constellation. It was first observed and catalogued in 1784 by the astronomer William Herschel.
Characteristics
NGC 1167 is a massive galaxy with a giant HI disk of D = 160 kpc. For comparison, the Milky Way galaxy is approximately 30.6 kpc across. Astronomers suggest NGC 1167 is accumulating gas by satellite accretion, incorporating its neighboring galaxies through fairly recent mergers, expanding its disk. While this galaxy contains significant amount of gas, matter is distributed over a very large area, resulting in a relatively low surface density.NGC 1167 has ring-like arcs where star formation is taking place. However its arcs are uncommonly thin and smooth, not showing the expected irregularities observed in star-forming regions of a galaxy's arms. Astronomers suggest this might be due to the lack of O stars within the structure. The nature of the phenomenon is yet not fully comprehended.