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C40

NGC 3626

Galaxy Good (48/100)

Lenticular

C40 Galaxy Leo Visible Level 3 Medium telescope (6-8") - Dark skies recommended
Credit: Sloan Digital Sky Survey. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)
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Properties

Magnitude 10.9
Angular Size 2.9′ × 1.9′
Position Angle 157°
Distance 86000000 ly
Galaxy Type Lenticular (S0-a)
Spiral Galaxy [Distance: 86000000 ly]

Position & Identifiers

RA 11h 18m 55.2s
Dec +18° 21' 18.0"
Constellation Leo
Catalog C40

Visibility

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About C40

Description

NGC 3626 is a lenticular galaxy in Leo, about 70 million light-years away. It has a bright central core and a smooth disk with subtle dust features. The galaxy rotates in the opposite direction to its gas, indicating a past merger or accretion event.

Observing Tips

Visible as a small, moderately bright, round glow in a 6-inch telescope. Not much detail is visible visually. Located in Leo's rich galaxy region. Best in spring evenings at medium magnification.

History

Discovered by William Herschel on March 14, 1784. Modern spectroscopic studies revealed the counter-rotating gas component, making it scientifically interesting despite its modest visual appearance.

Fun Facts

The counter-rotating gas disk in NGC 3626 likely came from a smaller galaxy that was accreted on a retrograde orbit, providing direct evidence of galaxy cannibalism.

Community Photos (1)

Credit: Sloan Digital Sky Survey. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Credit: Sloan Digital Sky Survey. License: CC BY 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

Skybred Mar 2, 2026