NGC 1317

NGC 1317 is a spiral galaxy located approximately 60 million light-years away in the constellation Fornax. It is a member of the Fornax Cluster, a relatively nearby and well-studied galaxy cluster. NGC 1317 is classified as a barred spiral galaxy, specifically of type SB(rs)ab, indicating the presence of a central bar structure and loosely wound spiral arms.

The galaxy interacts gravitationally with its nearby companion galaxy, NGC 1316 (Fornax A), a much larger lenticular galaxy that dominates the Fornax Cluster. The gravitational interaction between the two galaxies likely influences the morphology and structure of NGC 1317. Some studies suggest that NGC 1316 may have disrupted the outer disk of NGC 1317.

NGC 1317 is a popular target for amateur and professional astronomers alike due to its relatively bright magnitude and interesting interaction with NGC 1316. Observations of NGC 1317 have contributed to the understanding of galaxy evolution, galaxy interactions, and the dynamics of galaxy clusters.