NGC 3938 - SA(s)c

NGC 3938

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Type: SA(s)c

Filter: B

Telescope: UH 2.2-m
North up , East left
Field Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.9 arcminutes

RC3 Type: SA(s)c
RSA Type: Sc(s)I
Surface Brightness Range Displayed: 18.5-26.0 mag per square arcsec
Absolute Blue Magnitude: -20.5
Elmegreen Spiral Arm Class: AC 9

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Description:

The arms appear to terminate near the edge of an inner disk whose appearance is affected by dust. The inner spiral pattern is more regular and symmetric than the outer pattern. The B-I color index map shows the complex dust distribution in the inner regions and main arms. There is no evidence for central star formation. The Sc classification is based on the small size of the core and the extensiveness and patchiness of the arms.

NGC 3938 is almost exactly face-on. Van der Kruit and Shostak (1982) took advantage of this fact to measure the z velocity dispersion of the HI layer.