Galaxies NGC 4874/4889 + Coma Galaxy Cluster

LoTR 5
LoTR 5: Left: Coma galaxy cluster, below: PN LoTR 5, right: galaxy NGC 4725; Technosky 60 mm f/6, 0.8 Reducer (f=288mm), ASI 2600 MC Pro, Skywatcher EQ6R pro; 153 frames, 300s, Gain 300, -10 °C; CLS filter; Oberbaselbiet; © 10.+12. April 2004 Jörg Studer

History

On 11 April 1785 William Herschel discovered total 72 nebulae using his 18.7-inch reflecting telescope, most of them he classified as faint nebulae (class II) and very faint nebulae (class II). Among those discovered nebulae were: NGC 4864, 4874, 4889, 4908, 4911, 4921, 4923 and 4927. John Herschel verified his father's observations on 13 April 1831 and added four more nebulae: NGC 4853, 4869, 4894 and 4898. [364, 466]

Heinrich d'Arrest conducted multiple observations from May 1863 through April 1885 using the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen Observatory to verify the nebulae discovered by the two Herschels. The following 17 nebulae were added to Dreyer's «New General Catalogue»: NGC 4848, 4850, 4851, 4854, 4858, 4860, 4865, 4867, 4871, 4872, 4873, 4881, 4886, 4895, 4906, 4907 and 4919. D'Arrest was the first to recognize the Coma assemblage of galaxies as a cluster and wrote: «The nebulae are incredibly numerous and dense and despite being faint, they have a diversity one cannot imagine a priori. Sometimes, in the most favorable moments, I had the very definite impression that the nebulae, often only a few arcseconds in diameter, are intermingled with larger, roung, oblong, star-shaped or cometary ones, like oysters packed together in a barrel.» [313, 364]

NGC 4889
NGC 4889: Image taken by Hubble Space Telescope © NASA & ESA [261]

In May 1885, Guillaume Bigourdan observed this galaxy cluster with the 12.4-inch refractor at the Paris Observatory and discovered additional nebulae: NGC 4875, 4876, 4883, and 4896 were added by Dreyer in his «New General Catalogue» in 1888. Observations from April 1891 later appeared in Dreyer's two «Index Catalogue»: IC 839, IC 4051, and IC 4045. [313, 314, 315, 364]

Using the 18-inch refractor at the Strasbourg Observatory Hermann Kobold discovered in April/May 1895 and 1896 many more nebulae which were added in 2010 by Dreyer to his «Second Index Catalogue»: IC 3943, 3946, 3947, 3949, 3955, 3957, 3959, 3960, 3963, 3964, 3968, 3973, 3976, 3998, 4011, 4012, 4021, 4026, 4030, 4033, 4040, 4041, 4042, and 4044. [315, 364]

Physical Properties

NGC 4889 is a giant elliptical galaxy, about two and a half times larger than the Milky Way. In the centre of the featureless looking galaxy NGC 4899 lies a supermassive black hole with a mass 21 billion times greater than the Sun. Its event horizon is estimated with a diameter of approximately 130 billion kilometres, circa 15 times the diameter of Neptune’s orbit from the Sun. For comparison: The black hole at the centre of our galaxy is thought to be 4 million times more massive than the Sun with an event horizon just one fifth the orbit of Mercury. The black hole in the centre NGC 4889 of is currently inactive. It has stopped sucking in material and new stars are actually forming and orbiting around it. [261]

The two galaxies NGC 4874 and NGC 4889 dominate the gravitational centre of the Coma Cluster of galaxies (Abell 1656, ACO 1656). It is located circa 300 million light-years and according to Simbad it contains more than 3000 galaxies, most of them elliptical. [145] In the following table all the galaxies with NGC/IC numbers as shown in the 1° close-up of the finder chart are listed.

Revised+Historic NGC/IC Version 22/9, © 2022 Dr. Wolfgang Steinicke [277]
Name RA Dec Type bMag vMag B-V SB Dim PA z D(z) MD Dreyer Description Identification, Remarks
NGC 4848 12 58 05.7 +28 14 33 Gx (SBc) 14.4 13.7 0.7 13.3 1.6 × 0.5 158 0.023513 99.32 pF, S, lE GC 5686; UGC 8082; MCG 5-31-39; CGCG 160-55; DRCG 27-220; KUG 1255+285; IRAS 12556+2830
NGC 4850 12 58 21.7 +27 58 06 Gx (S0) 15.2 14.2 1.0 13.2 0.7 × 0.5 63 0.020087 84.85 F, S, R GC 5688; MCG 5-31-40; CGCG 160-63; NPM1G +28.0251; DRCG 27-137
NGC 4851 1 12 58 21.8 +28 08 52 Gx (S0) 15.2 14.2 1.0 11.3 0.4 × 0.2 112 0.026221 110.7 F, vS, r GC 5689; CGCG 160-61; DRCG 27-199
NGC 4851 2 12 58 22.3 +28 09 07 Gx (S0) 16.0 15.0 1.0 11.8 0.3 × 0.2 100 0.022372 94.50 F, vS, r GC 5689; DRCG 27-198
NGC 4853 12 58 35.4 +27 35 45 Gx (E-S0) 14.4 13.6 0.8 13.0 0.8 × 0.7 81 0.025604 108.1 F, S, R, pslbM h 1496; GC 3336; UGC 8092; MCG 5-31-48; CGCG 160-68; DRCG 27-43; IRAS 12561+2752; 2ZW 67; KUG 1256+278B
NGC 4854 12 58 47.6 +27 40 27 Gx (SB0) 14.9 13.9 1.0 13.7 1.2 × 0.8 57 0.027933 117.9 94.400 vF, pL, com GC 5690; MCG 5-31-49; CGCG 160-70; DRCG 27-58
NGC 4858 12 59 02.3 +28 06 55 Gx (SBb) 15.7 15.2 0.5 13.6 0.5 × 0.4 36 0.031475 132.9 F, vS, p of D neb GC 5691; MCG 5-31-51; CGCG 160-213; DRCG 21-195; IRAS 12566+2823
NGC 4860 12 59 04.0 +28 07 24 Gx (E2) 14.6 13.5 1.1 14.1 0.9 × 0.8 126 0.026618 112.4 94.400 pF, S, R, f of D neb GC 5693; MCG 5-31-54; CGCG 160-215; DRCG 27-194
NGC 4864 12 59 13.2 +27 58 35 Gx (E6) 14.6 13.6 1.0 11.8 0.7 × 0.5 129 0.022532 95.17 94.400 F, S, p of 2 h 1500; GC 3343; MCG 5-31-58; CGCG 160-221; ARAK 397; DRCG 27-159
NGC 4865 12 59 20.0 +28 05 03 Gx (E3) 14.6 13.7 0.9 12.8 0.9 × 0.5 115 0.015677 66.22 vF, vS, * 7·8 f 13s GC 5694; UGC 8100; MCG 5-31-64; CGCG 160-224; DRCG 27-179
NGC 4867 12 59 15.5 +27 58 14 Gx (E3) 15.4 14.5 0.9 13.5 0.5 × 0.4 3 0.015964 67.43 94.400 vF, vS, stellar, f h 1500 MCG 5-31-62; CGCG 160-222; DRCG 27-133
NGC 4869 12 59 23.5 +27 54 41 Gx (E3) 14.8 13.8 1.0 13.1 0.8 × 0.7 69 0.022879 96.64 94.400 cF, S, R, * 7 n WH II 388; h 1501; GC 3344; MCG 5-31-65; CGCG 160-225; DRCG 27-105
NGC 4871 12 59 30.1 +27 57 23 Gx (S0) 15.2 14.2 1.0 12.8 0.7 × 0.5 177 0.022445 94.81 vF, vS, stell N MCG 5-31-66; CGCG 160-227; DRCG 27-131
NGC 4872 12 59 35.8 +27 57 34 Gx (E0) 12.6 11.7 0.9 13.1 1.9 × 1.9 0.023937 101.1 94.660 pF, pS, R WH II 389; h 1502; GC 3347; UGC 8103; MCG 5-31-70; CGCG 160-231; Z 1257.2+2814; DRCG 27-129
NGC 4873 12 59 32.9 +27 59 00 Gx (S0) 15.1 14.1 1.0 13.1 0.8 × 0.6 105 0.019310 81.56 vF, vS MCG 5-31-69; CGCG 160-229; DRCG 27-155
NGC 4874 12 59 34.3 +27 56 48 Gx (SB0) 15.4 14.4 1.0 15.2 0.5 × 0.3 123 0.023993 101.3 94.400 F, h 1501 and 1502 p GC 5695; MCG 5-31-68; CGCG 160-230; DRCG 27-130
NGC 4875 12 59 38.1 +27 54 27 Gx (S0) 15.7 14.7 1.0 12.3 0.4 × 0.3 123 0.026835 113.3 vF, vS, stellar CGCG 160-232; DRCG 27-104
NGC 4876 12 59 44.6 +27 54 44 Gx (E5) 15.4 14.4 1.0 12.9 0.6 × 0.4 18 0.022275 94.09 94.400 vF, vS, no Nucl MCG 5-31-73; CGCG 160-234; ARAK 398; DRCG 27-124
NGC 4881 12 59 57.9 +28 14 47 Gx (E0) 14.6 13.6 1.0 13.5 1 × 1 0.022389 94.57 F, S, lE, * 9 sp GC 5696; UGC 8106; MCG 5-31-75; CGCG 160-238; DRCG 27-217
NGC 4883 12 59 56.2 +28 02 03 Gx (SB0) 15.4 14.3 1.1 12.1 0.5 × 0.3 97 0.027289 115.2 vF, S, stellar CGCG 160-237; DRCG 27-175
NGC 4886 13 00 04.6 +27 59 11 Gx (E0) 14.8 13.9 0.9 14.0 0.6 × 0.6 0.021321 90.06 94.400 F, S, R, II 391 f 4s GC 5699; NGC 4882; MCG 5-31-76; CGCG 160-239; DRCG 27-151
NGC 4889 13 00 08.3 +27 58 35 Gx (E3) 12.5 11.5 1.0 13.3 2.8 × 2 80 0.021665 91.51 101.77 pB, pmE, bM, * 7 n WH II 391; h 1507; GC 3351; NGC 4884; UGC 8110; MCG 5-31-77; CGCG 160-241; DRCG 27-148
NGC 4894 13 00 16.7 +27 58 01 Gx (S0) 16.1 15.2 0.9 12.6 0.5 × 0.1 27 0.015457 65.29 pF, S, R h 1510; GC 3354; CGCG 160-247; DRCG 27-122
NGC 4895 13 00 18.0 +28 12 06 Gx (S0/P) 14.2 13.2 1.0 13.2 1.8 × 0.6 153 0.028326 119.6 vF, S, R GC 5701; UGC 8113; MCG 5-31-81; CGCG 160-249; DRCG 27-206
NGC 4895 A 13 00 09.3 +28 10 12 Gx (E5) 16.0 15.0 1.0 13.7 0.6 × 0.3 99 0.022619 95.54 94.400 vF, S, R GC 5701; CGCG 160-245; RB 167; DRCG 27-207
NGC 4896 13 00 30.9 +28 20 47 Gx (E-S0) 14.9 13.9 1.0 13.1 1 × 0.6 5 0.020054 84.71 vF, vS, R, mbM UGC 8117; MCG 5-31-84; CGCG 160-87; DRCG 27-232
NGC 4898 1 13 00 17.7 +27 57 18 Gx (E3) 14.5 13.5 1.0 12.0 0.6 × 0.4 90 0.023026 97.26 vF, S, close to h 1510 MCG 5-31-82; CGCG 160-248; DRCG 27-121
NGC 4898 2 13 00 18.2 +27 57 20 Gx (E0) 14.6 13.6 1.0 11.7 0.4 × 0.4 0.022219 93.85 vF, S, close to h 1510 MCG 5-31-82; CGCG 160-248; DRCG 27-121
NGC 4906 13 00 39.8 +27 55 26 Gx (E3) 15.1 14.1 1.0 12.7 0.5 × 0.5 0.025087 105.9 94.400 vF, vS, * 15 p GC 5702; CGCG 160-253; DRCG 27-118
NGC 4907 13 00 48.8 +28 09 25 Gx (SBb) 14.4 13.6 0.8 13.5 1.1 × 1 42 0.019610 82.83 eF, vS, * 13 att GC 5703; MCG 5-31-89; CGCG 160-257; DRCG 27-205
NGC 4908 13 00 54.4 +28 00 25 Gx (E2) 14.2 13.2 1.0 13.0 1 × 0.8 105 0.016658 70.36 101.11 vF, vS WH III 363; GC 5704; UGC 8129; MCG 5-31-90; CGCG 160-259; DRCG 27-143
NGC 4911 13 00 56.3 +27 47 25 Gx (SBbc) 13.6 12.8 0.8 13.3 1.2 × 1.1 127 0.026635 112.5 103.00 1st of 4, F, pL, * 11 2' np WH II 392; GC 3364; UGC 8128; MCG 5-31-93; CGCG 160-260; DRCG 27-82; IRAS 12584+2803
NGC 4911 A 13 00 54.0 +27 47 04 Gx (S0) 15.9 14.9 1.0 12.0 0.4 × 0.2 45 0.027883 117.7 1st of 4, F, pL, * 11 2' np WH II 392; GC 3364; DRCG 27-62
NGC 4919 13 01 17.6 +27 48 31 Gx (S0) 15.1 14.1 1.0 13.6 1.1 × 0.7 140 0.024464 103.3 vF, vS, 2nd of 4 GC 5708; UGC 8133; MCG 5-31-97; CGCG 160-94; DRCG 27-79
NGC 4921 13 01 26.3 +27 53 08 Gx (SBab) 13.0 12.2 0.8 13.8 2.4 × 2.1 165 0.018286 77.24 F, pL, 3rd of 4 WH II 393; h 1516; GC 3368; UGC 8134; MCG 5-31-98; CGCG 160-95; DRCG 27-97
NGC 4923 13 01 31.8 +27 50 49 Gx (E/SB0) 14.7 13.7 1.0 13.1 0.8 × 0.8 0.018293 77.27 94.400 vF, 4th of 4 WH II 394; h 1518; GC 3369; MCG 5-31-101; CGCG 160-97; DRCG 27-78
NGC 4927 13 01 57.6 +28 00 22 Gx (E-S0) 14.8 13.8 1.0 12.3 0.6 × 0.4 15 0.025898 109.3 vF WH III 364; GC 3372; MCG 5-31-104; CGCG 160-105; DRCG 27-141
IC 839 12 58 15.0 +28 07 35 Gx (S0) 15.8 14.8 1.0 12.8 0.6 × 0.3 92 0.024904 105.1 stellar, 13m CGCG 160-57; DRCG 27-200; DFOT 201
IC 3943 12 58 36.5 +28 06 48 Gx (S0-a) 15.6 14.7 0.9 12.3 0.6 × 0.2 50 0.022646 95.66 pF, vS, iF CGCG 160-69; DRCG 27-197
IC 3946 12 58 49.1 +27 48 35 Gx (S0) 15.1 14.0 1.1 12.5 0.7 × 0.4 80 0.019563 82.63 F, pS, bM MCG 5-31-50; CGCG 160-210; DRCG 27-91
IC 3947 12 58 52.0 +27 47 08 Gx (S0) 15.4 14.4 1.0 11.2 0.3 × 0.2 95 0.018953 80.06 vF, S CGCG 160-211; NPM1G +28.0253; DRCG 27-72
IC 3949 12 58 56.6 +27 49 59 Gx (S0/P) 15.1 14.3 0.8 12.4 1 × 0.2 73 0.025254 106.6 108.00 F, pS, E UGC 8096; MCG 5-31-52; CGCG 160-212; KUG 1256+281; DRCG 27-89
IC 3955 12 59 06.1 +27 59 46 Gx (SB0) 15.4 14.4 1.0 11.5 0.4 × 0.2 30 0.025611 108.1 vF, S, N 14 mag CGCG 160-216; DRCG 27-160
IC 3957 12 59 07.5 +27 46 00 Gx (E0) 15.6 14.6 1.0 12.7 0.4 × 0.4 0.021135 89.27 94.400 cF, vS, R, bM MCG 5-31-60; CGCG 160-218; DRCG 27-70
IC 3959 12 59 08.3 +27 47 01 Gx (E0) 15.2 14.2 1.0 12.8 0.5 × 0.5 0.023643 99.87 94.400 F, pS, R, lbM MCG 5-31-59; CGCG 160-217; DRCG 27-69
IC 3960 12 59 08.0 +27 51 17 Gx (SB0) 15.9 14.9 1.0 12.8 0.4 × 0.4 0.022089 93.30 vF, pS, diffic MCG 5-31-55; CGCG 160-219; DRCG 27-109
IC 3960 A 12 59 09.8 +27 52 01 Gx (S0?) 17.0 16.2 0.8 13.0 0.3 × 0.2 80 0.023069 97.44 vF, pS, diffic MCG 5-31-56
IC 3963 12 59 13.6 +27 46 26 Gx (S0) 15.7 14.7 1.0 12.9 0.7 × 0.3 85 0.022846 96.50 vF, vS, R, bM MCG 5-31-61; CGCG 160-220; DRCG 27-68
IC 3964 12 59 13.6 +27 51 04 * eF, vS
IC 3968 12 59 25.6 +27 58 21 Gx (S0) 16.2 15.2 1.0 12.3 0.4 × 0.2 45 0.020387 86.11 eF, vS, * 14 nr RB 14; DRCG 27-157
IC 3973 12 59 30.7 +27 53 06 Gx (SB0) 15.4 14.4 1.0 12.2 0.5 × 0.3 160 0.015861 67.00 F, vS, R, N 13 mag CGCG 160-228; DRCG 27-103
IC 3976 12 59 29.5 +27 51 00 Gx (E6) 15.7 14.7 1.0 12.3 0.5 × 0.2 160 0.022899 96.72 * 14 inv in vF neb CGCG 160-226; DRCG 27-88
IC 3998 12 59 46.9 +27 58 22 Gx (SB0) 15.6 14.6 1.0 13.5 0.8 × 0.5 10 0.031532 133.1 eF, pS CGCG 160-236; DRCG 27-152
IC 4011 13 00 06.6 +28 00 11 Gx (E0) 16.1 15.1 1.0 13.7 0.5 × 0.5 0.024243 102.4 94.400 eF, vS, N 15m CGCG 160-242; DRCG 27-150
IC 4012 13 00 08.1 +28 04 42 Gx (E3) 16.0 14.9 1.1 11.9 0.3 × 0.2 135 0.024243 102.4 94.400 * 14 in vF neb CGCG 160-244; DRCG 27-174
IC 4021 13 00 14.9 +28 02 26 Gx (E0) 15.9 14.8 1.1 12.9 0.4 × 0.4 0.019137 80.83 94.400 * 14 in vF neb MCG 5-31-80; CGCG 160-246; ARAK 399; DRCG 27-172
IC 4026 13 00 22.3 +28 02 47 Gx (SB0) 15.6 14.6 1.0 11.8 0.3 × 0.3 0.027346 115.5 * 14 in vF neb CGCG 160-250; DRCG 27-170
IC 4030 13 00 28.0 +27 57 18 Gx (S0) 16.4 15.4 1.0 13.0 0.4 × 0.3 10 0.023296 98.40 eF, vS, R, * 15 inv RB 99; DRCG 27-119
IC 4033 13 00 28.6 +27 58 20 Gx (S0) 16.0 15.0 1.0 13.2 0.7 × 0.3 95 0.025728 108.6 eF, pS, R RB 100; DRCG 27-147
IC 4040 13 00 38.1 +28 03 24 Gx (SBcd) 15.4 14.8 0.6 13.2 1 × 0.3 153 0.026151 110.4 103.00 vF, S, R, gbM MCG 5-31-85; CGCG 160-252; IRAS 12582+2819; DRCG 27-169; KUG 1258+283; PGC 44792 ?
IC 4041 13 00 40.8 +27 59 49 Gx (E5) 15.3 14.4 0.9 13.4 0.4 × 0.2 30 0.023723 100.2 vF, pS MCG 5-31-86; CGCG 160-254; PGC 44802; DRCG 27-145
IC 4042 13 00 42.7 +27 58 18 Gx (SB0) 15.3 14.3 1.0 12.6 0.5 × 0.5 0.021321 90.06 F, S, bM CGCG 160-255; DRCG 27-144
IC 4042 A 13 00 42.8 +27 57 48 Gx (S0) 16.3 15.3 1.0 13.2 0.4 × 0.4 0.027906 117.8 119.67 F, S, bM RB 113; DRCG 27-116
IC 4044 13 00 47.5 +27 55 18 Gx (S0-a) 16.3 15.4 0.9 12.2 0.3 × 0.2 45 0.028590 120.7 eF, S, lbM RB 119; DRCG 27-117
IC 4045 13 00 48.8 +28 05 25 Gx (E4) 15.0 13.9 1.1 12.9 0.8 × 0.5 115 0.023149 97.78 94.400 pF, S, bM MCG 5-31-88; CGCG 160-256; DRCG 27-168
IC 4051 13 00 51.6 +28 02 34 Gx (E5) 14.7 13.6 1.1 13.6 0.9 × 0.8 49 0.029330 123.8 pF, S, R, bM, 4908 np MCG 5-31-92; CGCG 160-258; DRCG 27-167

Finder Chart

The galaxy NGC 4889 and its companions of the Coma Cluster are located in the constellation Coma Berenices. The best observation time is December to July, when it is highest at night.

Finder Chart Galaxies NGC 4874/4889 + Coma Galaxy Cluster
Galaxies NGC 4874/4889 + Coma Galaxy Cluster in constellation Coma Berenices. Charts created using SkySafari 6 Pro, STScI Digitized Sky Survey and Astrometry.net. Limiting magnitudes: Constellation chart ~6.5 mag, DSS2 close-ups ~20 mag. [132, 149, 160]

Visual Observation

350 mm Aperture: On approx. 2/3 degree field of view, 35 to 40 galaxies in the cluster Abell 1656 can be seen immediately without effort. — 14" PWO-Dobson, F:4.6 / TV-Nagler 13mm, 123x, 0.67°, Glaubenberg, 2. 4. 2005, Durchsicht ca. 6.7m, Eduard von Bergen

Objects Within a Radius of 10°

References

  • [132] Astrometry.net; nova.astrometry.net
  • [145] SIMBAD astronomical database; simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad
  • [149] SkySafari 6 Pro, Simulation Curriculum; skysafariastronomy.com
  • [160] The STScI Digitized Sky Survey; archive.stsci.edu/cgi-bin/dss_form
  • [261] Explore - The Night Sky | Hubble’s Caldwell Catalog; nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-s-caldwell-catalog (2021-02-08)
  • [277] «Historische Deep-Sky Kataloge» von Dr. Wolfgang Steinicke; klima-luft.de/steinicke (2021-02-17)
  • [313] «A New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars, being the Catalogue of the late Sir John F.W. Herschel, Bart., revised, corrected, and enlarged» Dreyer, J. L. E. (1888); Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society. 49: 1–237; Bibcode:1888MmRAS..49....1D
  • [314] «Index Catalogue of Nebulæ found in the years 1888 to 1894, with Notes and Corrections to the New General Catalogue» Dreyer, J. L. E.; Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 51, p.185; 1895; Bibcode:1895MmRAS..51..185D
  • [315] «Second Index Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars; containing objects found in the years 1895 to 1907, with Notes and Corrections to the New General Catalogue and to the Index Catalogue for 1888–94» Dreyer, J. L. E. (1910); Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society. 59: 105–198; Bibcode:1910MmRAS..59..105D
  • [364] Steve Gottlieb's NGC Notes; astronomy-mall.com/Adventures.In.Deep.Space/steve.ngc.htm
  • [466] «Observations of nebulæ and clusters of stars, made at Slough, with a twenty-feet reflector, between the years 1825 and 1833» John Frederick William Herschel, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, 1 January 1833, Pages: 359-505; DOI:10.1098/rstl.1833.0021