NGC 992

NGC 992 is a spiral galaxy located approximately 150 million light-years away in the constellation Aries. It is classified as a type Sc galaxy, indicating a spiral structure with loosely wound arms and a relatively small central bulge.

NGC 992 is a member of the Arp 16, a catalog of peculiar galaxies assembled by Halton Arp. The "peculiarity" in this case arises from the interaction with a smaller companion galaxy, possibly causing distortions in NGC 992's spiral arms and triggering enhanced star formation. This interaction also likely contributes to the galaxy's slightly irregular appearance.

Observations across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to X-rays, have been used to study the properties of NGC 992, including its gas content, star formation rate, and the distribution of its stellar population. It is an active area of research for astronomers interested in understanding galaxy interactions and their effects on galactic evolution.

Key characteristics of NGC 992 include its redshift, apparent magnitude, and physical size. These parameters are used to estimate its distance, luminosity, and overall dimensions. Detailed studies of its spectral characteristics allow astronomers to analyze the composition and dynamics of the galaxy.