NGC 1302 - (R2')SAB(rs)0/a

NGC 1302

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Type: (R2')SAB(rs)0/a

Filter: B

Telescope: CTIO 0.9-m
North left , East
Field Dimensions: 5.7 x 4.3 arcminutes

RC3 Type: (R)SB(r)0/a
RSA Type: Sa
Surface Brightness Range Displayed: 16.9-26.0 mag per square arcsec
Absolute Blue Magnitude: -20.0

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Description:

This early type spiral has subtle features. In the center of the galaxy, a weak but relatively well-defined bar is found that includes some dust. Surrounding this feature is a very smooth, barely distinguishable inner pseudoring . Outside this zone, an intermediate-sized, diffuse ring-like feature of uncertain interpretation is found. The feature is nearly circular and fairly distinct. It is about half the size of the outer ring , which is more typical of SB inner rings. The feature is analogous to an intermediate blue ring seen in NGC 7217 , but it could also be related to an unusual R1 component. The outer ring is a very well-defined feature that appears to be made of two tightly wrapped spiral arms. From the doubling of these arms in two opposing quadrants, we identify the feature as an R2' outer pseudoring , one of the earliest known examples. The feature is almost a pure R2 , but would be hard to identify as such without the arm doubling. The outer ring is very lightly patchy and undoubtedly is where most of the recent star formation is taking place in NGC 1302 .