NGC 1291 Facts for Kids

NGC 1291, a beautiful ring galaxy.

NGC 1291 is a special type of galaxy known as a ring galaxy. It looks like a bright center surrounded by a perfect ring of stars, gas, and dust. This amazing galaxy is located in the constellation of Eridanus, which is a group of stars that form a pattern in our night sky.

What is NGC 1291?
- How do Ring Galaxies Form?
  - The Central Bar
Where is NGC 1291 Located?
- Observing NGC 1291
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What is NGC 1291?

NGC 1291 is quite far away from us, about 33 million light-years. A light-year is the distance light travels in one year, which is a very, very long way! This galaxy is known for its clear ring shape, which makes it stand out from other galaxies.

How do Ring Galaxies Form?

Ring galaxies like NGC 1291 are thought to form when a smaller galaxy passes right through the center of a larger, disk-shaped galaxy. When this happens, the gravity of the smaller galaxy pulls on the gas and dust in the larger galaxy. This creates a wave that spreads outwards, causing new stars to form in a ring shape.

The Central Bar

NGC 1291 also has a feature called a central bar. This is a bar-shaped structure of stars that goes through the middle of the galaxy. Many spiral galaxies have these bars. Scientists believe these bars help to move gas and dust towards the center of the galaxy, which can fuel the birth of new stars.

Where is NGC 1291 Located?

NGC 1291 is found in the constellation of Eridanus. This constellation is named after a mythical river. It's one of the longest constellations in the sky. You can see it best from the Southern Hemisphere, but parts of it are visible from the Northern Hemisphere too.

Observing NGC 1291

Astronomers use powerful telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope and the Spitzer Space Telescope to study galaxies like NGC 1291. These telescopes can capture images in different types of light, including visible light and infrared light. Studying galaxies in different light helps scientists understand what they are made of and how they are changing. For example, infrared light can show us where dust and cooler gas are located, which are important for star formation.