angular separation of 17′, corresponding to a projected separation of 110 kpc. The two appear unconnected.[5]
The morphological class of NGC 986 is (R′1)SB(rs)b,[4] indicating this is a barred spiral (SB) with an outer pseudo-ring (R′1), an incomplete inner ring (rs), and moderately wound spiral arms (b). The galactic plane is inclined at an angle of 37° to the line of sight from the Earth. The resulting ellipsoidal profile has its major axis aligned along a position angle of 127°.[4]
The nucleus of NGC 986 is undergoing intense star formation[5] and there is an H II region at the core. The large central bar extends ~14 kpc and is rich in dense gas.[4] The galaxy contains two large, extended and slightly warped arms that begin at each end of the central bar, forming an S-shape. There may be a tidally-disrupted dwarf galaxy at the end of its northern arm.[5]
One supernova has been observed in NGC 986: SN 2018lei (type Ic, mag. 16.8).[7]
02h 33m 34.349s, −39° 02′ 42.21″
Media related to NGC 986 at Wikimedia Commons
