NGC 4492
| NGC 4492 | |
|---|---|
 Pan-STARRS image of NGC 4492 | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Virgo |
| Right ascension | 12h 30m 59.7s[1] |
| Declination | 08° 04′ 40″[1] |
| Redshift | 0.005804/1740 km/s[1] |
| Distance | 90,950,000 ly[2][3] |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 13.0[1] |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | SA(s)a?[1] |
| Size | ~33,450 ly (estimated)[1] |
| Apparent size (V) | 1.58 x 1.25[1] |
| Other designations | |
| IC 3438, PGC 41383, UGC 7656, VCC 1330[1] | |
NGC 4492 is a spiral galaxy[4] located about 90 million light-years away [2] in the constellation Virgo.[5] NGC 4492 was discovered by astronomer William Herschel on December 28, 1785. It was rediscovered by astronomer Arnold Schwassmann on January 23, 1900, and was listed as IC 3438.[6] NGC 4492 lies in the direction of the Virgo Cluster. However, it is not considered to be a member of that cluster.[7]
Physical characteristics
NGC 4492 has a relatively large bulge while showing signs of weak spiral structure.[7] The spiral arms are also outlined by lanes of interstellar dust.[8]
Virgo Cluster membership
NGC 4492 is listed in the Virgo Cluster Catalog as VCC 1330.[8] However, distance estimates to the galaxy place it at a location far outside of the cluster's center.[2][7] Also, its radial velocity indicates that NGC 4492 is not gravitationally bound to the Virgo Cluster but is expanding away from it. Therefore, NGC 4492 is not a member of the Virgo Cluster but rather a background galaxy.[7]
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