De Vaucouleurs Atlas Type: S0^- sp

Filter: V

Telescope: MDM 1.3-m
North up , East left
Field Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.0 arcminutes

RC3 Type: S0^- sp
RSA Type: S0₁(7)/a
Surface Brightness Range Displayed: 15.0-25.5 mag per square arcsec
Absolute Blue Magnitude: -20.2

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Description:

NGC 3115 is probably the best-known edge-on S0 galaxy. It is interesting in how it reveals both a strong thin disk and a strong thick disk can be parts of the structure of classical S0 galaxies . The thin disk has a very small vertical scaleheight compared to the thick disk. This galaxy was once considered the type example of class E7. It was studied in detail photometrically by Burstein (1979) and Tsikoudi (1980).

In recent years, research has focussed on the galaxy's rich globular cluster system (e.g., Puzia et al. 2002). Also, the kinematics and dynamics have been well-studied (Capaccioli et al. 1993).