NGC 862

NGC 862 is an elliptical galaxy located in the constellation Phoenix. It resides approximately 230 million light-years from Earth. It is classified as an E4 galaxy, indicating that it is an elliptical galaxy with a moderate amount of flattening.

NGC 862 is a member of the galaxy cluster Abell 2877, also known as the "Toothbrush Cluster," a massive and highly energetic galaxy cluster exhibiting evidence of a major merger event. The merger has resulted in a distinctive radio relic that resembles a toothbrush.

Observations of NGC 862 and its surrounding environment are valuable for studying galaxy evolution in dense cluster environments and for understanding the dynamics of galaxy cluster mergers. Studying the properties of elliptical galaxies like NGC 862 within clusters helps astronomers understand how galaxies are shaped and influenced by their interactions with other galaxies and the intracluster medium.