NGC 3309
| NGC 3309 | |
|---|---|
Hubble Space Telescope image of NGC 3309. | |
| Observation data (J2000 epoch) | |
| Constellation | Hydra |
| Right ascension | 10h 36m 35.6766s |
| Declination | −27° 31′ 05.788″ |
| Redshift | 0.013593 |
| Heliocentric radial velocity | 4075 ± 4 km/s |
| Distance | 197 Mly (60.3 Mpc) |
| Group or cluster | Hydra Cluster |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 12.60 |
| Characteristics | |
| Type | E3 |
| Size | ~146,400 ly (44.88 kpc) (estimated) |
| Apparent size (V) | 1.9 x 1.6 |
| Notable features | Radio Jet |
| Other designations | |
| ESO 501-036, AM 1034-271, MCG -04-25-034, PGC 31466 | |
NGC 3309 is a giant elliptical galaxy located about 200 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra. NGC 3309 was discovered by astronomer John Herschel on March 24, 1835. The galaxy forms a pair with NGC 3311 which lies about 72,000 ly (22 kpc) away. Both galaxies dominate the center of the Hydra Cluster.