NGC 5033 Spiral Galaxy

About this Image

NGC 5033 is an inclined spiral galaxy located in the constellation Canes Venatici. The distance is estimated at 50 million light years from us. The galaxy has a very bright nucleus and a relatively faint spiral arms. Significant warping of 12 degree is visible in the southern half of the disk in addition to a peculiar gaseous plume arising from its southern edge indicating a past interaction probably with NGC 5005.

NGC 5033 contains a Seyfert nucleus, a type of active galactic nucleus. Like many other active galactic nuclei, this galaxy's nucleus is thought to contain a supermassive black hole. The bright emission seen in visible light (as well as other wavebands) is partially produced by the hot gas in the environment around this black hole. Integral field spectroscopic observations of the center of NGC 5033 indicate that the Seyfert nucleus is not located at the kinematic center of the galaxy. This has been interpreted as evidence that this galaxy has undergone a merger.

Many faint background galaxies in a filamentary structure can be found in this wide field measuring 30 arc min in both axes.

North is at right.

Find a close-up on the galaxy up to 80% size below.