| NGC 908 | |
| Epoch: | J2000 |
| Type: | SA(s)c [1] |
| Dist Ly: | 56.0 ± 5.7 Mly (17.2 ± 1.8 Mpc) |
| Z: | 1509 ± 5 km/s |
| Appmag V: | 10.83 |
| Size V: | 6′.0 × 2′.6 |
| Constellation Name: | Cetus |
| Group Cluster: | NGC 908 group |
| Names: | [2] |
NGC 908 is an unbarred spiral galaxy in the constellation Cetus. It was discovered on 20 September 1786 by William Herschel.[3] This galaxy is 56 million light years away from Earth. It is the main galaxy in the NGC 908 group, which also includes NGC 899, NGC 907, and IC 223.[4]
NGC 908 has vigorous star formation and is a starburst galaxy. The galaxy has a three-arm spiral pattern; two of its arms have peculiar morphology. The galaxy has a bright central bulge. Clusters of young stars and star-forming knots can be seen in the arms. Starburst activity and the peculiar morphology of the galaxy indicate it had a close encounter with another galaxy, although none are visible now.[5]
Two supernovae have been observed in NGC 908: SN1994ai (type Ic, mag. 17)[6] and SN2006ce (type Ia, mag. 12.4).[7] [8] Also, one luminous blue variable has been observed in this galaxy: AT 2021ablz (type LBV, mag. 20.6).[9]