NGC 2608

NGC 2608 is a barred spiral galaxy located approximately 93 million light-years away in the constellation Cancer. It is classified as a Seyfert galaxy, indicating the presence of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) powered by a supermassive black hole at its center.

NGC 2608 is distinguished by its well-defined spiral arms and prominent central bar. These arms are actively forming stars, evidenced by the numerous bright blue regions of star formation visible in images of the galaxy. The central bar is thought to funnel gas and dust towards the supermassive black hole, fueling its activity.

The galaxy was discovered by William Herschel on March 12, 1785. It has been observed across the electromagnetic spectrum, providing valuable data for astronomers studying galaxy evolution, active galactic nuclei, and star formation processes. The galaxy is also included in the Arp catalog of peculiar galaxies as Arp 5, noted for its detached segments.