NGC 1427A

NGC 1427A is an irregular galaxy located in the constellation Eridanus. It is a member of the Fornax Cluster, a relatively nearby and rich cluster of galaxies. What makes NGC 1427A particularly interesting is its high speed, approximately 600 km/s, as it plunges through the intracluster medium of the Fornax Cluster.

This rapid motion is causing ram-pressure stripping, a process where the hot gas within the Fornax Cluster is stripping away the gas and dust from NGC 1427A. This stripping is affecting the galaxy's star formation rate, potentially quenching it as its gas reserves are depleted.

NGC 1427A's irregular shape is also a result of the gravitational interactions within the cluster, and possibly past mergers with smaller galaxies. While appearing blue in color, indicative of ongoing star formation, this star formation is localized and uneven, further demonstrating the disruptive effects of its interaction with the cluster environment.

The distance to NGC 1427A is estimated to be around 52 million light-years. Its study provides valuable insights into the processes that affect galaxies in dense environments like galaxy clusters and how those galaxies evolve over time.