Fornax Dwarf
Fornax Dwarf Spheroidal | |
---|---|
Apparent magnitude (V) | 9.3[1] |
Characteristics | |
Type | dE0[1] |
Apparent size (V) | 17.0′ × 12.6′[1] |
Notable features | has 6 globular clusters |
Other designations | |
Fornax dSph,[3] Fornax Dwarf Elliptical,[3] Fornax Dwarf Galaxy,[3] Fornax dE,[3] PGC 10074 / 10093,[1] ESO 356-4 |
The Fornax Dwarf Spheroidal (formerly known as the Fornax System) is an elliptical dwarf galaxy in the constellation Fornax that was discovered in 1938 by Harlow Shapley. He discovered it while he was in South Africa on photographic plates taken by the 24 inch (61 cm) Bruce refractor at Boyden Observatory, shortly after he discovered the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy.[4]
The
Globular clusters
Using the
It has been debated for some time whether the globular cluster Fornax 6 is a true member of the Fornax Dwarf, or merely a chance alignment of stars and/or galaxies.[5] A 2021 study found it to be a true cluster and a member, but it is notably more metal-rich and therefore likely younger than the other clusters. It is estimated to be about 2 billion years old.[5]
-
Hubble Space Telescope image of four of the globular clusters in Fornax Dwarf
It is not known why spheroidals allow the formation of globular clusters like Fornax 4 and
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database". Results for Fornax Dwarf Spheroidal. Retrieved 2006-11-29.
- ^ S2CID 248260222.
- ^ a b c d "NAME Fornax Dwarf Spheroidal". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 2006-11-29.
- S2CID 4071472.
- ^ S2CID 233481757.
- S2CID 117753848.
- S2CID 1805423.
External links
- Media related to Fornax dwarf at Wikimedia Commons
- Fornax dSph Archived 2012-08-29 at the Wayback Machine
- Fornax Dwarf
- The Fornax Dwarf on