NGC 3953

NGC 3953
NGC 3953 captured in 2026
Observation data (J2000 epoch)
ConstellationUrsa Major
Right ascension11h 53m 49.0283s[1]
Declination+52° 19′ 36.480″[1]
Redshift0.003502±0.00000200[1]
Heliocentric radial velocity1,050±1 km/s[1]
Distance54.10 ± 1.93 Mly (16.588 ± 0.592 Mpc)[1]
Group or clusterM109 Group
Apparent magnitude (V)10.8[1]
Characteristics
TypeSB(r)bc[1]
Size131,200 ly (40.24 kpc) (estimated)[1]
Apparent size (V)6.9′ × 3.5′[1]
Other designations
IRAS 11511+5236, 2MASX J11534902+5219355, UGC 6870, MCG +09-20-026, PGC 37306, CGCG 269-013[1]

NGC 3953 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. Its velocity with respect to the cosmic microwave background is 1,236±13 km/s, which corresponds to a Hubble distance of 59.4 ± 4.2 Mly (18.22 ± 1.29 Mpc).[1] However, 33 non-redshift measurements give a closer mean distance of 54.10 ± 1.93 Mly (16.588 ± 0.592 Mpc).[2] It was discovered by Pierre Méchain on 12 March 1781.[3][4][5]

NGC 3953 is known to exhibit an inner ring structure that encircles the bar. NGC 3953 is a member of the M109 Group, a large group of galaxies located within the constellation Ursa Major that may contain over 50 galaxies.[6][7][8][9]

Supernovae

Two supernovae have been identified within NGC 3953:

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Results for object NGC 3953". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  2. ^ "Distance Results for NGC 3953". NASA/IPAC EXTRAGALACTIC DATABASE. NASA. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  3. ^ Henk Bril (2006). "Fortin – Other weird findings: The truth about the identity of M109". www.astrobril.nl: Astrohistorica. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  4. ^ Hartmut Frommert (2014). "Messier 109 and Messier 109B". SEDS Messier Catalog. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  5. ^ "NGC 3953 im Großen Bären (Ursa Major)". Spektrum der Wissenschaft (in German).
  6. ^ R. B. Tully (1988). Nearby Galaxies Catalog. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-35299-4.
  7. ^ P. Fouque; E. Gourgoulhon; P. Chamaraux; G. Paturel (1992). "Groups of galaxies within 80 Mpc. II – The catalogue of groups and group members". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement. 93: 211–233. Bibcode:1992A&AS...93..211F.
  8. ^ A. Garcia (1993). "General study of group membership. II – Determination of nearby groups". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement. 100: 47–90. Bibcode:1993A&AS..100...47G.
  9. ^ G. Giuricin; C. Marinoni; L. Ceriani; A. Pisani (2000). "Nearby Optical Galaxies: Selection of the Sample and Identification of Groups". Astrophysical Journal. 543 (1): 178–194. arXiv:astro-ph/0001140. Bibcode:2000ApJ...543..178G. doi:10.1086/317070. S2CID 9618325.
  10. ^ Migliardi, M.; Dal Farra, E.; Kato, T.; Sano, Y. (2001). "Supernova 2001dp in NGC 3953". International Astronomical Union Circular (7683): 1. Bibcode:2001IAUC.7683....1M.
  11. ^ "SN 2001dp". Transient Name Server. IAU. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  12. ^ "Results for object SN 2001dp". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  13. ^ Nakano, S.; Itagaki, K. (2006). "Supernova 2006bp in NGC 3953". International Astronomical Union Circular (8700): 4. Bibcode:2006IAUC.8700....4N.
  14. ^ "SN 2006bp". Transient Name Server. IAU. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
  15. ^ "Results for object SN 2006bp". NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database. Retrieved 2024-10-08.