NGC 1515
NGC 1515 is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Dorado. The galaxy lies about 55 million light years away from Earth, which means, given its apparent dimensions, that NGC 1515 is approximately 100,000 light years across. It was discovered by James Dunlop on November 5, 1826. It is a member of the Dorado Group.
Characteristics
NGC 1515 is seen highly inclined. It has multiple spiral arms with fragments of dust lanes. The galactic nucleus is small, while the bulge seems to extend over the galactic plane. It is X-shaped. There is evidence of a bar. Some HII regions are visible in the arms.The galaxy appears deficient in hydrogen. The total hydrogen mass is estimated to be, about ten times less than predicted. The hydrogen radius of the galaxy is 70% less than the optical one and there is no significant diffuse hydrogen emission around the galaxy. The galaxy probably lost most of its hydrogen as it passed through the centre of its galaxy group.
In the centre of the galaxy is predicted to lie a supermassive black hole whose mass is estimated to be between 3.2 and 17 million solar masses, based on the spiral arm pitch angle.