NGC 4536 | |
---|---|
Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
Constellation | Virgo |
Right ascension | 12h 34m 27.129s[1] |
Declination | +02° 11′ 16.37″[1] |
Redshift | 0.006031 ± 0.000003[2] |
Heliocentric radial velocity | 1808 ± 1[3] km/s |
Distance | 48.7 ± 0.9 Mly (14.9 ± 0.3 Mpc)[4] |
Apparent magnitude (V) | 11.1[5] |
Characteristics | |
Type | SAB(rs)bc[6] |
Apparent size (V) | 7.6′ × 3.2′[5] |
Other designations | |
UGC 7732,[5] PGC 41823[5] |
NGC 4536 is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo located about 10° south of the midpoint of the Virgo cluster. However, it is not considered a member of the cluster.[6] Rather, it is a member of the M61 Group of galaxies, which is a member of the Virgo II Groups, a series of galaxies and galaxy clusters strung out from the southern edge of the Virgo Supercluster.[7][8][9] The morphological classification in the De Vaucouleurs system is SAB(rs)bc, which indicates it is a weakly barred spiral galaxy with a hint of an inner ring structure plus moderate to loosely wound arms.[6] It does not have a classical bulge around the nucleus.[10]
NGC 4536 has the optical characteristics of an HII galaxy, which means it is undergoing a strong burst of star formation.[10] This is occurring prominently in the ring that surrounds the bar and nucleus.[11] Based upon the level of X-ray emission from the core, it may have a small supermassive black hole with 104–106 times the mass of the Sun.[10]
On March 8, 1981, a type Ia supernova was discovered 51 arcseconds to the northeast of the Galactic Center. Designated SN 1981b, it reached a peak visual magnitude of 12 on March 8 before steadily fading from view over the next two months. No prior supernova events have been observed in this galaxy.[6]