NGC 6340 - (R')SA(r:)0/a

NGC 6340

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Type: (R')SA(r:)0/a

Filter: B

Telescope: NOT 2.5-m
North up , East left
Field Dimensions: 5.7 x 4.2 arcminutes

RC3 Type: SA(s)0/a
RSA Type: Sa(r)I
Surface Brightness Range Displayed: 17.5-26.0 mag per square arcsec
Absolute Blue Magnitude: -20.0

De Vaucouleurs Atlas Description:

This galaxy shows mainly a series of ring-like patterns in what appears to be very tightly wrapped spiral structure. The best defined feature is an outer pseudoring made mostly of a single arm that winds as much as 540o. In the B-V color index map, this feature is a sharp zone of enhanced blue colors, and apparently is where most of the recent star formation in NGC 6340 is taking place. The single arm making up the outer pseudoring appears to approximately begin on another more circular ring-like feature that we tentatively identify as an inner ring . This feature has half the diameter of the outer pseudoring , and it encompasses an area where several complex dust lanes are seen in the B-V map. There is no color contrast associated with the apparent inner ring . A short spiral arc outside the outer pseudoring on the west side shows some color contrast. The apparent blue nucleus is due in part to a small seeing mismatch between the B and V filters.