C40
NGC 3626
Object Data
- Catalog Designation
- C40
- Type
- Galaxy
- Constellation
- Leo
- Magnitude
- 10.9
- Right Ascension
- 11h 18m 55.2s
- Declination
- +18° 21' 18.0"
- Distance
- 86,000,000 light-years
- Angular Size
- 3
Survey Image
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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)
Skybred Mar 2, 2026