This object is a lenticular galaxy located 50 million light years away in the constellation of Virgo at a declination of +8 degrees. This 9.9 magnitude galaxy has a surface brightness of 12.8. It spans 6 arc-minutes in our apparent view, which corresponds to an actual diameter of 90,000 light years. The galaxy is seen 15 degrees from edge-on.
Two features stand out for me in this galaxy. The first is the striking inner ring dust band. This band encircles the core but is obscured by the light of the core on the far side.
The second more subtle feature is the interesting shape of the brightness of the inner region. Such a shape is commonly described as a “peanut shaped” core, although I think that the light pattern looks more like a figure-8 with the ends removed. This phenomenon is
seen in a number of edge-on lenticular galaxies, but scientists don’t have a complete explanation for this behavior yet.
Because the two features described above are not commonly found in typical galaxies, I assume that they may be the result of a long ago merger of some sort, perhaps between an elliptical galaxy and a spiral galaxy. But I have not been able to find any information on the possible origin of this galaxy.
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