Markarian 177 Explained

Markarian 177
Epoch:J2000.0
Constellation Name:Ursa Major
Z:0.008088
Dist Ly:90000000abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Appmag V:15.7
Notes:
Names:Markarian 177, MKR 177, MKN 177, MRK 177, Mark 177, 2MASX J11332348+5504204, SDSS J113323.47+550420.6, PGC 35678, LEDA 35678, UGCA 239

Markarian 177 is a blue compact[1] dwarf galaxy located 90000000ly away, at the constellation of Ursa Major, in the bowl of the Big Dipper asterism.[2] It was discovered by the astronomer Benjamin Markarian.

Markarian 177 is a peculiar galaxy[1] that is receding from us at a rate of 2425 km/s. It has a visual apparent size of 0.41×0.34 arcmin.

SDSS1133

Near the galaxy, at over 2600ly from it, is a luminous X-ray source named SDSS J113323.97+550415.8 (SDSS1133), in orbit around Markarian 177. The source has been stable for some decades from the 1950s through the 2000s, and the emission region is some 40ly wide. It may be an ejected supermassive black hole from a galaxy that interacted with Markarian 177.

Alternative explanations for the X-ray source include it possibly being a luminous blue variable star that has recently undergone a supernova in the early 2000s, where for the previous five decades it had been in continuous eruption.[2] [3] [4]

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Classifications for UGCA 239 . NED . 22 November 2014 .
  2. News: Mystery of dwarf galaxy could be ejected black hole . 19 November 2014 . Niels Bohr Institute . .
  3. News: Astronomers Discover Mysterious Source of Light in Dwarf Galaxy Markarian 177 . 21 November 2014 . Sci-News.com .
  4. Web site: NASA's Swift Mission Probes an Exotic Object: 'Kicked' Black Hole or Mega Star? . 19 November 2014 . Francis Reddy . .