NGC 6744
| NGC 6744 | |
|---|---|
Wide Field Imager view of a Milky Way look-alike NGC 6744 | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Pavo |
| Right ascension | 19h 09m 46.1785s |
| Declination | −63° 51′ 26.992″ |
| Redshift | 0.002805 |
| Heliocentric radial velocity | 841 ± 2 km/s |
| Distance | 23.63 ± 1.68 Mly (7.244 ± 0.514 Mpc) |
| Group or cluster | Virgo Supercluster |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.14 |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | SAB(r)bc |
| Size | ~171,800 ly (52.68 kpc) (estimated) |
| Apparent size (V) | 20.0′ × 12.9′ |
| Other designations | |
| Caldwell 101, ESO 104- G 042, IRAS 19051-6357, PGC 62836 | |
NGC 6744 (also known as Caldwell 101 or the Pavo Galaxy) is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Pavo (Peacock). Its velocity with respect to the cosmic microwave background is 802 ± 3 km/s, which corresponds to a Hubble distance of 38.6 ± 2.7 Mly (11.82 ± 0.83 Mpc). However, 21 non redshift measurements give a distance of 23.63 ± 1.68 Mly (7.244 ± 0.514 Mpc). It was discovered on 30 June 1826 by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop, observing from Parramatta, Australia.
One of the largest spiral galaxies in the local universe, NGC 6744 is considered a Milky Way mimic in the immediate vicinity, displaying remarkable star formation, flocculent (fluffy) arms, and an elongated core. It has at least one distorted companion galaxy (NGC 6744A) superficially similar to one of the Magellanic Clouds.
NGC 6744 is a LINER galaxy, i.e., its nucleus has an emission spectrum characterized by broad lines of weakly ionized atoms. The galaxy has an active galactic nucleus (AGN) of low luminosity.
NGC 6744 lies within the Virgo Supercluster.