NGC 4299

NGC 4299 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is a member of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies.

Characteristics:

• Type: SBm (Barred Spiral Galaxy)
• Distance: Approximately 55 million light-years from Earth.
• Apparent Magnitude: Around 12.4
• Size: Relatively small in size compared to other galaxies in the Virgo Cluster.

Discovery:

NGC 4299 was discovered on April 15, 1784, by William Herschel.

Relationship to other galaxies:

NGC 4299 is gravitationally interacting with the nearby galaxy NGC 4294. This interaction is causing tidal distortions in both galaxies, making them a visually interesting pair. The interaction has likely triggered star formation in both galaxies. The pair is sometimes referred to as Arp 254.

Observational Notes:

Due to its relatively faint apparent magnitude, NGC 4299 is best observed with larger telescopes under dark sky conditions. Observers will typically look for the distorted spiral arms and evidence of the interaction with NGC 4294.