NGC 3124 - SB(r)bc

NGC 3124

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Type: SB(r)bc

Filter: B

Telescope: CTIO 1.5-m
North left , East down
Field Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.4 arcminutes

RC3 Type: SAB(rs)bc
RSA Type: SBbc(r)I
Surface Brightness Range Displayed: 19.0-26.0 mag per square arcsec
Absolute Blue Magnitude: -20.9
Elmegreen Spiral Arm Class: AC 9

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Description:

The inner ring and bar are well-defined features. The ring projects to a nearly circular shape, and appears made of wrapped spiral arms; it is sufficiently closed to merit the (r) classification. At least four major spiral arms are present in the outer disk. Several minor spurs are also present.

The bar in NGC 3124 shows a subtle twist in a direction opposite the sense of winding of the outer arms. This is especially evident in a red filter image (Purcell 1998), and suggests that the bar can be interpreted as a very open, two-armed leading spiral (see book Section 2.1.3).