NGC 5668 explained

NGC 5668
Epoch:	J2000
Z:	0.005280
Group Cluster:	NGC 5638 Group, NGC 5746 Group, Virgo III Groups
Type:	SA(s)d
Size:	~14.84kpc (estimated)

NGC 5668 is a nearly face-on spiral galaxy, visual magnitude about 11.5,^[1] located about 81 million light years away in the constellation Virgo. It was discovered on 29 April 1786 by William Herschel.

NGC 5668 is a member of the NGC 5638 Group of galaxies, itself one of the Virgo III Groups strung out to the east of the Virgo Supercluster of galaxies.^[2] In addition, A.M. Garcia listed NGC 5668 in the 31 member NGC 5746 galaxy group (also known as LGG 386).^[3]

As seen from the Earth, it is inclined by an angle of 18° to the line of sight along a position angle of 145°. The morphological classification in the De Vaucouleurs system is SA(s)d, indicating a pure spiral structure with loosely wound arms. However, optical images of the galaxy indicate the presence of a weak bar structure spanning an angle of 12″ across the nucleus. There is a dwarf galaxy located around 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on to the southeast of NGC 5668, and the two may be gravitationally interacting.

Supernovae

Three supernovae have been observed in this galaxy:

• SN1952G (type unknown, mag. 17.9) was discovered by Fritz Zwicky on 18 April 1952.^{[4] [5]}
• SN1954B (typeIa, mag. 12.3) was discovered by Paul Wild on 4 May 1954.^[6] [Note: Some sources incorrectly list the discovery date as 27 April 1954.]^[7]
• SN2004G (typeII, mag. 17.2) was discovered by Reiki Kushida on 19 January 2004.^[8] It was initially imaged at 43" to the west and 12".5 south of the galaxy core.

High velocity clouds of neutral hydrogen have been observed in NGC 5668, which may have their origin in supernova explosions and strong stellar winds.

See also

• List of NGC objects (5001–6000)

Notes and References

1. Web site: New General Catalog Objects: NGC 5650 - 5699. 2021-03-12. cseligman.com.
2. Web site: The Virgo III Groups . Atlas of the Universe . 2010-11-27 .
3. 1993A&AS..100...47G . General study of group membership. II. Determination of nearby groups . Garcia . A. M. . Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series . 1993 . 100 . 47.
4. Web site: Transient Name Server . SN1952G . . 7 September 2024.
5. 10.1086/129639 . free . The 1973 Palomar Supernova Search . 1974 . Kowal . C. T. . Zwicky . F. . Sargent . W. L. W. . Searle . L. . Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific . 86 . 512 . 516 . 1974PASP...86..516K.
6. 10.1086/127488 . free . Light Curves of the Supernovae of 1954. 1960. Wild. Paul. Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 72. 425. 97. 1960PASP...72...97W.
7. Web site: Transient Name Server . SN1954B . . 7 September 2024.
8. Web site: Transient Name Server . SN2004G . . 7 September 2024.