This is a Type II Seyfert galaxy with an active galactic nucleus. A dust lane is seen crossing the nucleus, and there are indications of recent starburst activity nearby.[6] NGC 289 is a giant, gas-rich, low surface brightness galaxy with a small bulge at the nucleus, a small central bar, and two inner spiral arms. These arms split into multiple parts as they extend into the outer disk. The galaxy has a dark matter halo that has an estimated 3.5 times the mass of the gaseous and stellar components. There is a dwarf elliptical companion to the north of the galaxy,[7] designated Arp 1981,[6] that may be having a perturbing influence.[7]
Gallery
Spiral Galaxy NGC 289 taken at ChileScope Observatory (W76), near Ovalle, Chile. Image courtesy Adam Block.
^ abSkrutskie, Michael F.; Cutri, Roc M.; Stiening, Rae; Weinberg, Martin D.; Schneider, Stephen E.; Carpenter, John M.; Beichman, Charles A.; Capps, Richard W.; Chester, Thomas; Elias, Jonathan H.; Huchra, John P.; Liebert, James W.; Lonsdale, Carol J.; Monet, David G.; Price, Stephan; Seitzer, Patrick; Jarrett, Thomas H.; Kirkpatrick, J. Davy; Gizis, John E.; Howard, Elizabeth V.; Evans, Tracey E.; Fowler, John W.; Fullmer, Linda; Hurt, Robert L.; Light, Robert M.; Kopan, Eugene L.; Marsh, Kenneth A.; McCallon, Howard L.; Tam, Robert; Van Dyk, Schuyler D.; Wheelock, Sherry L. (1 February 2006). "The Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS)". The Astronomical Journal. 131 (2): 1163–1183. Bibcode:2006AJ....131.1163S. doi:10.1086/498708. ISSN0004-6256. S2CID18913331.