| NGC 6221 | |
| Epoch: | J2000 |
| Constellation Name: | Ara |
| Type: | SB(s)bc |
| Size: | 70,000 light years |
| Appmag V: | 9.28 |
| Absmag V: | -20.97 |
| Size V: | 3.5 × 2.5 |
| Names: | ESO 138-3, AM 1648-590, IRAS16484-5908 and PGC 59175 |
| References: | NASA/IPAC extragalactic datatbase, http://spider.seds.org/ |
NGC 6221 (also known as PGC 59175) is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ara. In de Vaucouleurs' galaxy morphological classification scheme, it is classified as SB(s)bc and was discovered by British astronomer John Herschel on 3 May 1835.[1] NGC 6221 is located at about 69 million light years from Earth.[2] [3]
Two supernovae have been observed in NGC 6221: SN 1990W (type Ib/Ic, mag. 15),[4] [5] and SN 2024pxg (type II, mag. 15.1).[6]
NGC 6221 is part of galaxy group NGC 6221/15, which includes spiral galaxy NGC 6215 and three dwarf galaxies. Interactions between NGC 6221 and NGC 6215 form a of neutral hydrogen gas over a projected distance of 100 kpc; Dwarf 3 of the three dwarf galaxies may have formed from the bridging gas.[7]