NGC 4395 - SAB(s)dm

NGC 4395

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Type: SAB(s)dm

Filter: B

Telescope: NOT 2.5-m
North right , East up
Field Dimensions: 13.5 x 13.5 arcminutes

RC3 Type: SA(s:)m
RSA Type: Sd III-IV
Surface Brightness Range Displayed: 18.0-27.0 mag per square arcsec
Absolute Blue Magnitude: -17.2
Elmegreen Spiral Arm Class: AC 1

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Description:

This galaxy has a bright nucleus and a clear oval bar-like feature. The bar has ridges of star formation in the areas where leading dust lanes would normally be found. With two inner spiral arms, the galaxy appears to be a transition to the Sm stage. Several of the star-forming complexes are so bright that they have individual NGC numbers. There is more asymmetry in the galaxy than the Atlas image shows because of the limited field of view.

The nucleus of NGC 4395 has received a great deal of attention because it is the nearest example of a Seyfert 1 nucleus (Wrobel, Fassnacht, and Ho 2001). Wrobel et al. also note that the it is the least luminous Seyfert nucleus known, and the only one known in a Magellanic spiral.