NGC 5448

NGC 5448 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. It is estimated to be approximately 140 million light-years from Earth. This galaxy is a member of the Ursa Major Cluster, also known as the NGC 5448 group.

NGC 5448 is classified as a Seyfert galaxy, specifically a type 2 Seyfert. Seyfert galaxies are a class of active galactic nuclei (AGN) characterized by bright, compact, and often variable nuclei. Type 2 Seyfert galaxies are distinguished by their spectra, which show strong, narrow emission lines. This is thought to be due to a torus of dust and gas obscuring the broad-line region closer to the central supermassive black hole.

The galaxy exhibits a well-defined bar structure and prominent spiral arms containing regions of active star formation. These star-forming regions appear as bright knots within the arms.

Studying NGC 5448 provides valuable insights into the nature of active galactic nuclei, the dynamics of spiral galaxies, and the processes of star formation.