IC 2628

IC 2628 is a lenticular galaxy located in the constellation Leo Minor. It is part of the Leo Minor Group, a small group of galaxies relatively close to the Local Group. Lenticular galaxies, classified as S0, possess a disk and a central bulge, similar to spiral galaxies, but lack prominent spiral arms. They also contain little to no ongoing star formation. IC 2628 appears relatively smooth in images, characteristic of this galaxy type. Its distance from Earth is estimated to be tens of millions of light-years. The galaxy's morphological classification indicates it likely represents a transitional phase between spiral and elliptical galaxies, having exhausted or lost most of its gas and dust. Further observation and analysis can provide insights into the evolution and dynamics of galaxies within the Leo Minor Group and the broader context of galaxy formation.