NGC 3640

NGC 3640 is an elliptical galaxy located in the constellation Leo. It is approximately 81 million light-years away from Earth. It is classified as a type E3 galaxy, indicating its elliptical shape and a relatively low degree of flattening.

NGC 3640 is a member of the Leo Triplet associated galaxy group, although it is significantly further away than the three main members of the Leo Triplet (M65, M66, and NGC 3628). It is a relatively isolated galaxy compared to the core members of that group.

Observations suggest that NGC 3640 has a complex stellar population, including both old and young stars. This suggests that the galaxy may have undergone a recent period of star formation, potentially triggered by interactions with smaller galaxies or accretion events in its past.

It is a relatively bright galaxy, and can be observed with moderately sized telescopes under good viewing conditions. Its designation as an NGC object stems from its inclusion in the New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars, compiled by John Louis Emil Dreyer in 1888.