NGC 7318 Galaxy

NGC 7318 Galaxy: Type, Age, Size, Diameter, Mass, Location, Facts, Distance from Earth

NGC 7318 Galaxy

NGC 7318 is a galaxy located in the constellation Pegasus, approximately 300 million light-years away from Earth. It is part of the Stephan's Quintet, a group of five galaxies that are interacting with each other through gravitational forces. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of NGC 7318, its history, and its significance in the study of galaxy formation and evolution.

What Type of Galaxy is NGC 7318 Galaxy

NGC 7318 Galaxy is classified as an irregular galaxy. Irregular galaxies lack a distinct, symmetrical structure and are characterized by their chaotic appearance, often featuring pockets of intense star formation.

How old is NGC 7318 Galaxy

Determining the exact age of NGC 7318 Galaxy is challenging, but it is estimated to be approximately around 1 to 2 billion years. Age estimation involves studying the galaxy's stellar populations and the history of star formation, providing insights into its cosmic age.

NGC 7318 Galaxy Size in Light Years

The size of NGC 7318 Galaxy encompasses an expansive region of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 light-years.

NGC 7318 Galaxy Diameter in Light Years and Compared to Milky Way

The diameter of NGC 7318 Galaxy is approximately 15,000 to 20,000 light-years. Compared to the Milky Way, NGC 7318 is significantly smaller, as the Milky Way has a diameter of around 100,000 light-years.

NGC 7318 Galaxy Mass in Solar Masses

Estimates suggest that the mass of NGC 7318 Galaxy is approximately a few billion solar masses. While smaller than larger spiral galaxies, NGC 7318's mass is substantial for an irregular galaxy.

NGC 7318 Galaxy Location

NGC 7318 Galaxy is part of the Stephan's Quintet, a compact group of galaxies located in the constellation Pegasus. This galaxy grouping is known for its interactions and gravitational effects on each other.

10 Interesting Fun Facts about NGC 7318 Galaxy

  1. NGC 7318 is part of a galactic dance known as Stephan's Quintet, which includes five interacting galaxies.
  2. Stephan's Quintet is named after French astronomer Édouard Stephan, who first discovered the grouping in 1877.
  3. The gravitational interactions within Stephan's Quintet have led to distortions in the shapes of the galaxies.
  4. NGC 7318 is experiencing intense tidal forces from neighboring galaxies, influencing its structure and star formation.
  5. The proximity of galaxies in Stephan's Quintet results in galactic collisions and mergers over cosmic timescales.
  6. NGC 7318 is characterized by regions of active star formation, visible as bright knots within its structure.
  7. The interactions between galaxies in Stephan's Quintet trigger the formation of new stars and affect the distribution of gas and dust.
  8. The combined gravitational forces create intricate tidal tails and bridges of material between the interacting galaxies.
  9. Stephan's Quintet serves as a laboratory for studying the effects of galactic interactions on star formation and galaxy evolution.
  10. Observations of NGC 7318 and its companions provide insights into the dynamics of small galaxy groups and the complex processes at play in such environments.

NGC 7318 Galaxy Distance from Earth in Light Years and Miles / Km

NGC 7318 Galaxy is situated at an approximate distance of about 280 million light-years from Earth. Converting this distance, it is approximately 1.64e+21 miles (2.64e+21 km) away. This vast distance places it far beyond our immediate cosmic neighborhood, and its interactions with other galaxies in Stephan's Quintet make it an intriguing subject for astronomical study.

Characteristics of NGC 7318:

NGC 7318 is a spiral galaxy that has been heavily distorted and disrupted by the gravitational forces of the other galaxies in the Stephan's Quintet. Its spiral arms appear to be pulled out of shape and stretched, and it has a prominent dust lane that runs through the center of the galaxy.

The galaxy also has a large amount of gas, which is being ionized and heated by the intense radiation from nearby stars. This gas emits light at specific wavelengths, creating a unique signature that can be detected by telescopes.

NGC 7318 has a high rate of star formation, with new stars being born at a rate of approximately 5 solar masses per year. This is much higher than the rate of star formation in our own Milky Way galaxy.

NGC 7318

History of NGC 7318:

NGC 7318 was first observed by the astronomer Edward Swift in 1885, who cataloged it as a faint object in the constellation Pegasus. However, it was not until the 1960s that the galaxy was recognized as part of the Stephan's Quintet.

The Stephan's Quintet was named after the French astronomer Edouard Stephan, who first discovered the group of galaxies in 1877. The group is unique in that it is one of the few known examples of galaxies interacting with each other through gravitational forces.

The gravitational interactions between the galaxies in the Stephan's Quintet have caused NGC 7318 to be heavily distorted and disrupted. This has led to a burst of star formation in the galaxy, as the gravitational forces compress gas and dust and trigger the formation of new stars.

Significance of NGC 7318:

NGC 7318 is significant in the study of galaxy formation and evolution because it provides an example of how galaxies can be affected by interactions with other galaxies. The gravitational forces between galaxies can cause them to be distorted and disrupted, leading to changes in their morphology, star formation rates, and overall evolution.

NGC 7318 also provides an example of how gas can be compressed and heated by gravitational forces, leading to the formation of new stars. This process is important in the formation and evolution of galaxies, as it determines their overall structure and star formation rates.

Studying NGC 7318 and the other galaxies in the Stephan's Quintet can also provide insights into the processes that drive galaxy evolution in the universe. By understanding how galaxies interact with each other and how they evolve over time, astronomers can gain a better understanding of the overall structure and evolution of the universe.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is NGC 7318?

A: NGC 7318 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Pegasus, and is part of the Stephan's Quintet, a group of five galaxies that are interacting with each other through gravitational forces.

Q: How far away is NGC 7318 from Earth?

A: NGC 7318 is approximately 300 million light-years away from Earth.

Q: What is the significance of NGC 7318 in the study of galaxy formation and evolution?

A: NGC 7318 provides an example of how galaxies can be affected by interactions with other galaxies, leading to changes in their morphology, star formation rates, and overall evolution. Studying NGC 7318 and the other galaxies in the Stephan's Quintet can provide insights into the processes that drive galaxy evolution in the universe.

Q: What is the star formation rate in NGC 7318?

A: The star formation rate in NGC 7318 is approximately 5 solar masses per year.

Q: How was NGC 7318 discovered?

A: NGC 7318 was first observed by the astronomer Edward Swift in 1885, who cataloged it as a faint object in the constellation Pegasus. However, it was not until the 1960s that the galaxy was recognized as part of the Stephan's Quintet.

Q: What is the morphology of NGC 7318?

A: NGC 7318 is a spiral galaxy that has been heavily distorted and disrupted by the gravitational forces of the other galaxies in the Stephan's Quintet. Its spiral arms appear to be pulled out of shape and stretched, and it has a prominent dust lane that runs through the center of the galaxy.

Q: What can the study of NGC 7318 and the other galaxies in the Stephan's Quintet provide insights into?

A: The study of NGC 7318 and the other galaxies in the Stephan's Quintet can provide insights into the processes that drive galaxy formation and evolution in the universe. By understanding how galaxies interact with each other and how they evolve over time, astronomers can gain a better understanding of the overall structure and evolution of the universe.

Conclusion:

NGC 7318 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Pegasus, and is part of the Stephan's Quintet, a group of five galaxies that are interacting with each other through gravitational forces. The galaxy has been heavily distorted and disrupted by these interactions, leading to a burst of star formation and a high rate of gas ionization.

The study of NGC 7318 and the other galaxies in the Stephan's Quintet provides valuable insights into the processes that drive galaxy formation and evolution in the universe. By understanding how galaxies interact with each other and how they evolve over time, astronomers can gain a better understanding of the overall structure and evolution of the universe.

More Galaxies:

 

Back to blog