NGC 4458 is a lenticular (S0) or elliptical (E) galaxy located in the constellation Coma Berenices. It is a member of the Coma I Group of galaxies, which is an outlying group associated with the larger Virgo Supercluster.
Observation and Classification
Classified as an early-type galaxy, NGC 4458 exhibits characteristics typical of lenticular (S0) or elliptical (E) galaxies. These types are generally characterized by a smooth, featureless light profile, a lack of significant spiral arms, and a low rate of ongoing star formation. The precise classification between S0 and E can sometimes be ambiguous, depending on the presence and prominence of a disk component. Through optical telescopes, NGC 4458 appears as a relatively smooth, oval-shaped patch of light.
Location and Group Membership
NGC 4458 is situated approximately 50 to 60 million light-years (about 15-18 megaparsecs) from Earth. Its celestial coordinates are approximately Right Ascension 12h 28m 17s and Declination +11° 39′ 58″. It belongs to the Coma I Group, a collection of galaxies gravitationally bound in the foreground of the much more distant and denser Coma Cluster, though both are found in the same general direction in the sky.
Discovery
The galaxy NGC 4458 was discovered by the acclaimed astronomer William Herschel on April 11, 1785. It was subsequently included in the New General Catalogue (NGC) compiled by John Louis Emil Dreyer.
Other Designations
In addition to its NGC designation, NGC 4458 is also identified by other astronomical catalog numbers, including PGC 41042 and UGC 7604.