NGC 7479, Propeller Galaxy
History
The galaxy NGC 7479 was discovered on October 19, 1784 by the German-British astronomer William Herschel with his 18.7 inch reflecting telescope. He cataloged it as I 55 and noted: «Considerably bright, much extended in direction meridian, gradually brighter in the middle, 4' long 2' broad.» [464]
Physical Properties
This is a Seyfert 2 galaxy at a distance of 30 Mpc to 36 Mpc. [145] The arms of this barred spiral galaxy spiral counterclockwise like a mirror-inverted «S». In the radio wave range, the galaxy rotates in the opposite direction. A jet of radiation curves in the opposite direction to the stars and dust in its arms. The radio jet in NGC 7479 is thought to have gone into its bizarre reverse spin after a merger with another galaxy. Star formation has been reignited as a result and the galaxy is experiencing starburst activity with many bright young stars in the spiral arms and disk. [440]
| Designations | PGC 70419: NGC 7479, UGC 12343, MCG 2-58-60, CGCG 430-58, IRAS 23024+1203, KARA 1004 |
| Right Ascension (J2000.0) | 23h 04m 57.0s |
| Declination (J2000.0) | +12° 19' 18" |
| Morphological Type | SB |
| Dimensions | 4.0' x 3.1' |
| Visual Magnitude | 11.6 mag |
| Radial Velocity (HRV) | 2378 km/s |
| Position Angle | 25° |
Finder Chart
The galaxy NGC 7479 is located in the constellation Pegasus. The best observation time is June to November, when it is highest at night.
Visual Observation
320 mm aperture: Barred spiral galaxy NGC 7479 shows one brighter end of only two spiral arms. — 12.5" Ninja-Dobson f/4.5, Tele Vue Radian 8 mm (181x), 17.-18. Oktober 2001, Hohnegg CH, 1460 m ü. M., Eduard von Bergen